about city of split

Split, economic and administrative centre of Middle Dalmatia, with about 250 000 inhabitants, is the second largest town in Croatia. It is situated on a peninsula between the Gulf of Kastela and the Split Channel. City is protected from the north and northeast by the ridges Kozjak and Mosor. Climate is Mediterranean with hot dry summers ( average air temperature 26 degree Celsius ) and mild winters. With average daily insolation about 7 hours, Split is one of the sunniest places in Europe. Hill Marjan, rises in the western part of peninsula, is covered with a cultivated forest.

Split Croatia Site was most probably settled in ancient Greek period, but history of Split started at the end of third century when Roman Emperor Diocletian built his palace. Split's growth became rapid in the 7th century, when Greek and Roman metropolis Salona ( today Solin ) was destroyed by Slavs and Avars and its citizens find shelter within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace. Ruins of Salona can still be explored today. From ninth to eleventh century Split was under supremacy of Byzantine emperors, and 1069 King Petar Kresimir IV annexed it to Croatia.

Split is not only a centre of Dalmatia with connections to Dalmatia's numerous summer resorts, but it is itself often a tourist and excursionists destination. With a 1700-year old tradition, a variety of archaeological, historical and cultural monuments, certainly occupies a special position, and the warmth and offer of a modern Mediterranean city.

worth seeing

Marjan Forest Park, the green oasis the citizens of Split have been proud of for generations, and with good reason. Marjan Forest Park is a wonderful retreat for foot weary visitors. Towering pine trees shelter multiple walking trails and a pleasant escape from the sounds of the bustling city of Split. It takes only 15 minutes of pleasant walking to reach Marjan from the historical core of Split through the old quarter Varos. The Marjan stairway, running along the crest of the hill, leads to another, higher top of Marjan. The park includes promenades, vista points, solariums, nature paths, playgrounds and the Split zoo. A marvellous view is offered from the top of Marjan on the old and new parts of Split.
Split Croatia Diocletian's Palace, built at the end of third century AD by Roman Emperor Diocletian, is today the heart of inner city of Split where all the most important historical buildings can be found. The Palace is built of white local limestone of high quality, most of which was from quarries on the island of Brac. Some material for decoration was imported: Egyptian granite columns and sphinxes, fine marble for revetments and some capitals produced in workshops in the Proconnesos. The Palace is one of the most famous and integral architectural and cultural constructs on the Croatian Adriatic coast and holds an outstanding place in the Mediterranean, European and world heritage. In November 1979 Diocletian’s Palace was included in UNESCO list of World Heritage sites.[more]
The Archaeological Museum of Split should be on every history buffs list of sights to see in Split. It is considered to be the oldest museum institution in Croatia. Founded in 1820, the museum has been at its present location since 1922. It contains fascinating artifacts from the Roman and early Christian period. Most interesting are the reliefs based on Illyrian mythical figures. The collection includes Greek pottery, Roman glass and an extensive collection of ancient coins.
Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments is also interesting for archaeology buffs. There are writings dating back to the days of Croatian rulers between the 9th and 12th centuries. The stone fragments, medieval tombstones, and coins can be somewhat indecipherable except for real archaeological buffs however.
Split's Town Museum that recounts the history of Split in a series of drawings, coats of arms, weapons, furniture, coins and documents is within the palace. It's a wonderful way to place your visit to Split in historical context and is clearly the best museum in Split.
The Mestrovic Gallery contains many of the works of Ivan Mestrovic, friend of Rodin, undoubtedly one of the most prominent Croatian artists of the 20th century. Designed by the artist himself, the Mestrovic Gallery, was originally Ivan Mestrovic's residence where he lived in the 1930's.
Art Gallery is an extraordinary national and cultural value. Its fund counts over 3 200 works (paintings, sculptures, drawings, graphics,…) It was founded in 1931 and at the end of the last century it got its own domicile premises in the building located in front of the northern wall of the Diocletian’s Palace.

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