Diocletians Palace
Roman Emperor Diocletian, having abdicated his throne
in AD 305, decided to spend the last years of his life in Dalmatia
and built a palace for that purpose on the bay of Aspalathos, on
the south side of a peninsula extending into the Adriatic Sea.
The spot he chose is now the very heart of the city
of Split and the palace is still one of the city's main tourist
attractions. The building and the entire historic Split inner city
area around it have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Within the palace walls are a network of narrow
cobblestone alleyways that house a mixture of residential
apartments, modern shops, cafes and restaurants, ancient Roman
relics, and a magnificent cathedral.
The palace is interesting in that it was designed to
combine a luxurious residence with the defences of a military camp,
having towers and fortifications on its landward sides with three
monumental gates.
Originally situated on the water, the palace is now
fronted by the city's popular waterfront promenade and faces onto
the harbour. The buildings are made from local white limestone,
quarried on the nearby island of Brac.
Diocletian's Palace
Judith Duk
Archaeological Museum
Founded in 1820, the Archaeological Museum in Split is the
oldest museum in Croatia. Its displays include artefacts from
prehistoric times, the Greek colonial period, and from the Roman,
early Christian, and Medieval ages.
Most of the relics found in excavations of the Roman city of
Salona are displayed here, and there is an interesting collection
of submarine archaeology. The museum also contains a large
collection of antique coins and a prominent library. Outside the
museum there is a lovely garden with a covered walkway and a number
of statues on display, which makes for a good opportunity to wander
a bit and take some photographs.
Those who have smartphones can make use of the free wifi audio
guide, which is informative and enhances the experience. Although
this museum is not extensive, it remains very interesting and a
great place to get familiar with Croatian history.
Address: Zrinsko-Frankopanska 25
Ancient artefacts on display
Connie Ma
Brac Island
Brac's main claim to fame is the strip of beach near
the resort of Bol that stretches out like a finger into the sea,
featuring on almost all Croatian tourist brochures. Brac is the
largest of the central Dalmatian group of islands and its major
agricultural products are wine, olive oil, and fruit. The island is
also known for its exported white stone, which was even used to
build Washington DC's White House.
Bol and Supetar are the two main resorts on Brac,
with attractive old towns and a laidback charm. Bol is the
windsurfing capital of Croatia, and Brac is a great destination for
a number of watersports. The rest of the island boasts numerous
villages and dramatic coastal scenery.
Like much of Croatia, the beaches on Brac Island are
mainly rocky, boasting stunningly clear blue water and calm seas.
If you are desperate to find a sandy beach head down to Lovrecina,
which has its own beach bar and restaurant and is a lovely spot to
spend the day. Brac is generally less crowded than Split and other
popular areas on Croatia's mainland, but can get very busy during
the peak summer months.
Brac Island
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Split Airport
Location: The airport is situated 16 miles (25km) west of
Split.
Time: Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Saturday in
March to end of October).
Getting to the city:
Croatia Airlines operates a bus between the airport and the main
bus station, on the waterfront, in Split. Taxis are also
available.
Car Rental:
Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz,
National and others.
Airport Taxis:
There are taxis available outside the terminal during operating
hours.
Fascilities:
Airport facilities include a restaurant and café, duty-free
shopping, banking and currency exchange services and a post
office.
Parking
Parking is available at the airport with discounts available for
long-term parking.
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A popular tourist destination, Split provides
travellers with a number of effective ways to get around town.
Travellers in Split should find it easy to move seamlessly from one
form of transport to the next, as the ferry, bus, and train
stations are all in close proximity to each other.
The primary form of public transportation in Split is
the city's bus network, which is fairly extensive and covers all
areas of the city of interest to travellers. Buses usually run from
about 5am until around midnight, and have their destinations
clearly laid out in route maps at most stops. Visitors will find
most of their travel needs attended to by the bus stop near the
ferry harbour, as it is a meeting point of the most popular
lines.
However, many travellers in Split may find it easiest
and most enjoyable to simply get around on foot. The layout of the
city is very accommodating to pedestrians, with key attractions and
shopping centres within walking distance and a scenic promenade
along the water between the port and marina.
Visitors in Split also have the option of renting a
car. This can be especially useful for those wanting to explore the
surrounding area, as it provides a freedom to roam. Thankfully, the
Croatian roads are famously good. Although renting a car is ideal
for exploring the wider region, prospective drivers should note
that there is not much parking in the city centre, with none
whatsoever in Split's old town.
Split is an ancient and attractive city with
centuries of history bolstering its modern appeal. As with many
Croatian cities, the richest concentration of tourist attractions
in Split can be found in the oldest part of the city around the
famous Diocletian's Palace. This magnificent palace was built by
the Roman Emperor Diocletian in 303 AD and it is a privilege to
explore.
There are numerous walking tours on offer for the
palace complex and the surrounding old area of the city, which can
be very informative and entertaining. The impressive Cathedral of
St Domnius and a climb up its rather scary bell tower, which earns
you spectacular views of the area, will often feature on these
tours. Another attraction not to be missed is the remarkable clock
by West Gate which has been keeping time in the city for more than
a century.
There are lots of other things to see and do in
Split, with highlights including the Archaeological Museum, the
oldest museum in Croatia. This museum collects and displays
artefacts from Split's long history and is a joy for history buffs.
On a more contemporary note, travellers will enjoy a stroll along
Riva Harbour which has a pretty promenade lined with bars. It's a
great place to meet locals who favour the spot for evening walks
and recreation.
Split is also a convenient base for excursions to
myriad beautiful islands and villages, and visitors are spoilt for
choice when it comes to daytrips. The nearby islands of Brac and
Hvar offer stunning beaches and charming little towns, and the
coastal villages of Makarska and Sibenik are enduring Croatian
favourites. The magical walled town of Trogir, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, is situated on a tiny island between Ciovo and the
mainland, and tops the list of many a Croatian travel
itinerary.
Hvar Island
Off the coast of Split, just 15 nautical miles (24km) from Baska
Voda and accessible by ferry, is the island of Hvar, which abounds
with Romanesque and Renaissance buildings and a true Mediterranean
atmosphere.
Hvar has been populated since prehistoric times, with
archaeologists finding evidence of life on the island dating back
to 3500 BC. The island is noted for its fertile soil and was the
site of the world's first parcelling out of arable land by the
ancient Greeks, who farmed here.
It is now mainly a wine-growing area, with the island's main
towns of Vrboska and Jelsa famed for their Dalmatian vintages. Hvar
is dotted with picturesque villages, many of which remain fairly
untouched by time and tourism, and are well worth a visit for a
glimpse into rural island life in Croatia.
Must-see attractions in Hvar include the incredible Hvar
Fortress which can't be missed by history buffs and anybody who
appreciates a great view. It is a bit of a climb to get to the old
fortress but from the site you can see the whole town and harbour.
No visit to Hvar would be complete without a visit to Dubovica
Beach, which is often delightfully free of the usual crowds.
Hvar Island
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Trogir
Trakoscan is a legendary 13th-century Gothic castle
that was home to various influential families for centuries before
finally falling into abandoned disrepair in the second half of the
18th century, when it belonged to the Draskovic family.
In the 1950s, the castle was taken over by the state
and turned into a living museum, reconstructing life in a medieval
castle. Visitors can explore four levels, including the dungeon,
and finish their tour with a stroll through the surrounding
parklands.
Trakoscan Castle is a spectacular journey for the
imagination as it feels so authentic. Guests can wander with
freedom through the stone corridors, up and down the winding
staircases, and into the various rooms. It is also a great
attraction for the younger children as the castle, lake, and forest
settings transport the little ones to a fairytale world.
The castle features original artefacts from its
history, including furniture and weaponry, and displays are
informative and well laid out. As wandering through the castle and
its beautiful grounds can be somewhat tiring, visitors often stop
for a break at the restaurant by the lake.
Trogir old town
Judith Duk
Sibenik
Sibenik is an historic town, located in central
Dalmatia. A notable feature about the town's history is the number
of civilizations which have laid claim to the territory: Between
the 11th and 12th centuries, Sibenik was claimed by Venice,
Byzantium, Hungary, and the Kingdom of Bosnia.
After the First World War, Italy briefly claimed
Sibenik, and during World War Two it was occupied by the Germans
and the Italians. As one might imagine, the town is the product of
diverse influences and has a rich cultural heritage.
Sibenik is home to the crowning glory of the
Dalmatian Coast: the Cathedral of St Jacob. The cathedral was the
masterpiece of sculptor Juraj Dalmatinac and is reputedly the
largest church in the world to be built entirely from stone.
It is unusual for its 71 stone heads on the exterior
walls, a beautiful baptistery, the domed roof complex, and various
works of art in the interior of the building. The city also makes a
good base from which to visit the nearby Krka National Park.
Sibenik Harbour
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Makarska
About 30 miles (47km) south of Split is the popular
resort town of Makarska, with its cobblestoned streets and natural
harbour nestled in the shadow of Mount Biokovo and fringed with the
two green peninsulas of Osejava and St Peter.
This beautiful spot offers secluded beaches washed by
an azure sea and lies at the heart of the Makarska Riviera, which
is characterised by pine forests and a string of white pebble
beaches. Makarska was an important trading port throught its
history, which spans occupation by the Venetians, Turks, French and
Austrians, all of whom left a taste of their culture and tradition
behind.
The town boasts a world-renowned collection of sea
shells, a Franciscan monastery dating from the 16th century, a
Venetian fountain, and several churches and Baroque palaces.
However, its main attraction is its splendid natural beauty.
The main tourist area of Makarska is lined with
fashionable boutiques, cafes, and bars, all a stone's throw away
from the yachts and catamarans docked in the harbour. Popular photo
spots include a few beautiful churches and cathedrals dating back
to the 13th century, as well as monuments dedicated to Friar
Andrija Kaèiæ Miošiæ and Napoleon Bonaparte.
Makarska Beach
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Diocletian's Palace
Judith Duk
Ancient artefacts on display
Connie Ma
Brac Island
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