Shipyards, factories, and a busy port present the modern face of Split, which expanded unchecked after World War II. Yet, Split Old Town Center is still full of charm. It grew up in and around Emperor Diocletian’s vast Roman palace, one of the largest and best-preserved left of the Roman world.

In 614, the palace took in refugees from Salona, razed by the Avars, and these newcomers used the Roman structure as housing. Among the refugees were the bishop and other religious dignitaries. They breathed new life into the diocese of Split.

After two centuries of Byzantine rule and the establishment of Croat communities, the city became part of the Venetian territories in 1409. Under the Venetians, fortifications emerged, including new walls, and the arts flourished.

Plan your trip with this complete Split Croatia Travel Guide.

Originally the mausoleum of the emperor Diocletian, the cathedral was consecrated in the 7th century when the casket containing the body of Diocletian was removed and replaced, with a certain poetic justice, by the remains of St Domnius, a 3rd-century bishop martyred as part of Diocletian’s persecution of the early Christians.

It was the then archbishop of Split who transformed the mausoleum into a Christian church, and St Domnius became the city’s patron saint.

An aged cathedral

The structure is widely regarded as the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world that has not been substantially rebuilt at any time. Since being first built it has remained practically unaltered except for the construction of a Romanesque bell tower and the addition of the 13th-century choir inside.

An ancient sphinx in black granite rests at the foot of the bell tower. The entrance doorway has wooden panels from 1214, with scenes from the gospel in floral flames. The cathedral, built on an octagonal plan, has a double order of Corinthian columns, most of them the Roman originals.

The Archaeological Museum was founded in 1820 and has been in its present location since 1914. It has many finds from the Roman, early Christian, and medieval periods which are on exhibition in rotation.

Of great interest are the finds from Roman Salona, including sculptures, capitals, sarcophagi, jewelry, coins, and ceramics. There are also finds from the Roman town of Narona.

Adress: Zrinsko-Frankopanska 25
Telephone: 021/329-340

The building housing this gallery was the house of Ivan Meštrović in the early 1930s. The sculptor himself designed the building to be his family house, studio, and gallery. His sculptures, including Distant Accords and Persephone, decorate the garden and the interior.

Among statues in marble, wood, and bronze are The Contemplation, The Vow, and Psyche. Part of the building still preserves the artists’ apartments. You can use the same ticket for the Kastilac further down the road at number 39.

A house and a church

This 16th-century house once belonged to the Capogrosso-Kavanjin family and Meštrović bought it in 1939 to set up an exhibition hall. The artist also built a small church here to exhibit a series of reliefs called New Testament, now replaced by a different work, the Author of the Apocalypse.

Address: Setaliste Ivana Mestrovica 46
Telephone: +385 21 340 800

The Museum of Sensest is a museum dedicated to exploring our main senses – sight, hearing, smell, touch, and balance. Solve puzzles using your sense of smell! Use your fingertips to solve a mystery. Touch the light to create music! Learn more about Split, the ancient Mediterranean city. And, of course, take a bunch of awesome photos!

When you enter, forget everything you know about reality. Let yourself go and let us guide you through the zones dedicated to senses – sight, hearing, smell, touch, and balance.

The museum offers:

• Mysterious Objects
• Optical Illusions
• Disco Galaxy
• Funny Mirrors
• Smell boxes

And much more. This is a great place to visit when you travel with kids.

If you find some museums dusty and boring, the outdoor Live Museum Split is a welcome alternative. Every day, local actors dress up in the garb of ancient Romans and recreate historic scenes (Croatia was once part of the Roman Empire). Kids love the chance to learn archery and poke around in the Roman armory.

The Croatian Maritime Museum is a testament to centuries of seafaring traditions, naval innovations, and the rich maritime heritage of the Adriatic coast. Located within the historic 17th-century Gripe Fortress, this museum offers an immersive experience for visitors of all ages.

The museum’s origins trace back to 1997 when it merged two predecessor institutions: the Split Maritime Museum and the Military Maritime Museum. This fusion brought together a diverse array of artifacts, each with its own story.

Noteworthy Artifacts

1. The Vessel ‘Bakar’: Picture a sturdy wooden vessel, its hull weathered by countless voyages. The ‘Bakar’ embodies craftsmanship, resilience, and the spirit of maritime life.
2. ‘Perina’: This traditional Dalmatian fishing boat evokes memories of early mornings at sea, nets cast, and the salty breeze. ‘Perina’ symbolizes the interwoven fabric of coastal communities.
3. Oldest Surviving Vessels: Wander through the exhibit halls and encounter vessels defying time. These ancient ships, with their worn planks and faded sails, whisper tales of exploration, trade, and survival.

Address, Opening hours, and Tickets

Address: Glagoljaska 18,
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 09:00 – 20:00
Telephone: +385 21 347 346

Almost unique to Split, picigin is a ball game played in ankle-deep water next to a sandy beach. Five players stand in a circle and use their fists to hit a small ball back and forth at high-speed. The goal is to prevent the ball from falling into the water.

Aficionados play daily at Bačvice Beach, regardless of the weather. Every year on June 13, Bačvice stages the Picigin World Championship. Graceful and entertaining moves win – there are no other real rules to this mysterious game.

Diocletian, probably a native of Salona, became emperor in 284. After governing for 20 years, he retired from public life and moved to this palace in the bay of Split. After he died in 316, the palace was used as administrative offices and the governor’s residence.

In 615, refugees from Salona found shelter here after the destruction of their city by the Avars.

The Palace is rectangular (approximately 215 x 180 meters) with four large towers at the corners, doors on each of the four sides, and four small towers on the walls. The lower part of the walls has no openings, while the upper floor is open with a monumental porch on the south and halls with grand arch windows on the other three sides.

Address: 21000, Grad

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