Split

A city of history and holidays

We had such a huge demand for Split that we have added two more superb hotels this year. Split is a thriving, vibrant, very Mediterranean city, located on the coast of central Dalmatia. It’s Croatia’s second biggest city with a population of around 225,000, a university, a rather well known football team (Hadjuk) and a bustling ferry port offering connections all along the coast and to the Dalmatian islands. And then there was Roman Emperor Diocletian.

From humble beginnings, Diocletian rose quickly in rank and then, in pursuit of an early retirement, he chose a great spot for his retirement home. Work began on the palace in 295AD and was finished ten years later. Today, Diocletian’s Palace is a UNESCO listed cultural monument and home to people, shops, and churches. The four external walls encompass many facets of modern day life with an extraordinary array of styles: a Christian cathedral here, a sculpture by Ivan Mestrovic there and they all fit perfectly together. The Peristyle, once the central courtyard of the palace complex now has cafés just metres away from two black marble Egyptian sphinxes and the courtyard and terraces are often used for performances during the Split Summer Festival (July and August). The basement of the palace remained full of debris until 1956 and now cleared and restored, it is a beautiful vaulted area used for book fairs, cocktail parties, wine tastings and home to art and craft stalls. Diocletian would probably have approved!

The Riva is the wide seafront boulevard on the south side of the palace, right by the sea. There are numerous cafés and this is where locals and visitors come to watch the world pass by – on foot and on the Adriatic as ferries move in and out of the harbour. In 2007 the Riva was closed to traffic (and still is) and underwent an impressive facelift. The result is a world-class city that is the perfect spot for a short break or a longer stay. There are a couple of good beaches and a day out to the islands or to the Roman ruins of Salona are easy to do.

Allow time too to explore Split’s stone alleyways, cloisters and hidden villas. It’s worth it. 

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