Split is one of the most vibrant and lively Adriatic cities. Everything is in motion here. The streets are filled with a motley crowd of travellers from all over the world. Merchants shout for customers. In the centre, between the estates and the modern port, stands the Old Town, which grew up around the palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

The palace was and still is the most important part of the central architectural ensemble. It has been inhabited almost continuously since Roman times. After Diocletian's successors left the palace complex, it was inhabited by others and gradually became an anthill of private and apartment buildings, churches and chapels.

It was thought that before Emperor Diocletian there was no Split at all. However, archaeological findings have shown that there was a Roman settlement here even before the arrival of the imperial builders. Diocletian's palace was laid out in 295 AD and completed ten years later. At that time the emperor gave up state affairs, moved to his native Illyria and began to treat rheumatism and grow cabbage. The palace was no mere resting place for an elderly man, however. Diocletian had a large courtyard here. The building had both luxurious imperial chambers and rooms for the Roman garrison.

The northern half was for the servants and soldiers, while the southern half had the apartments of the ruler himself and the public buildings. The size of the palace is 200 by 250 metres. The walls are 2 metres thick and up to 25 metres high. There are fortifications in every corner and four towers along each earthen wall. After Diocletian, various local rulers lived in the palace, but in the 6th century the complex fell into disrepair. In 614 it was suddenly inhabited by refugees from the nearby town of Salon, captured by the Avars and Slavs.


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