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Diocletian's Palace
Diocletian's Palace in Split is one of Croatia's main landmarks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fascinating place to explore. If, however, you think of a palace like Versailles, think again because it is actually more like a city within a city.
Emperor Diocletian was the most prominent contribution of Dalmatia to the Roman Empire. When he retired to his birthplace (Salona, near Split), he decided to build this monumental fortified palace.
It began in 295 and for ten years supervised the extraction of stone from neighboring island of Brach and the construction of its palace. It measures 215 m from east to west and the walls are 26 m high. Located between classical and medieval Christian civilization, Diocletian's Palace is an integral part of all the styles that preceded it.
The palace is today a commercial and residential center, a development dating back to the 7th century when nearby residents fled to a walled palace to avoid barbarian invaders.
The symmetrical layout of the building with two intersecting streets is classic, but most of the palace reflects the eclecticism of late antiquity. Partly an imperial villa and partly a fortified camp, the palace is remarkable for its variety of shapes, which include an octagonal domed mausoleum (Cathedral of St. Domnius), a rectangular temple of Jupiter, a cruciform lower level of the Vestibule and circular temples to Cybele and Venus. The vast Roman Empire of late antiquity easily absorbed foreign influences, visible in the Egyptian sphinxes in front of Jupiter’s temple and mausoleum, restored as the Cathedral of Sts. Dujma.
№2 of 36 places in Split
№12 of 2178 places in Croatia
№1 of 2 Historic buildings in Split
№1 of 177 Historic buildings in Croatia
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Dioklecijanova ul. 1, 21000, Split
Reviews
4.6/5
Excellent
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16 reviews
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7
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Diego
22/08/2021
This is my favorite place in Split. Even if it is very hot, you can take a walk in the underground rooms of the palace.
Sebastiano
21/08/2021
We were in Split with my family for 3 days, stayed in the old center, and walked past Diocletin's palace every day. The palace is impressive even in our time, the square is very crowded, with well-preserved buildings. Calm music sounds from the temple, you can just sit on the ancient steps next to it.
Kevin
17/08/2021
wow. I was stunned by this breathtaking Palace. this historical place in the heart of the old city is just awesome .it is a great place to visit.
Mirna
16/08/2021
Very beautiful. In the palace itself, almost nothing has survived except the walls, but even they are worth seeing
Karl
14/08/2021
If you are traveling in Croatia, you need to stop by in Split to see this palace. It is located in the old town, so after visiting it you can walk for a long time along the narrow streets of the city, going into small shops or many street restaurants.
Anita
11/08/2021
The palace is located in the very center of the old city, so you are unlikely to miss it. When we were there, dressed-up Romans walked around the square near the palaces, it was atmospheric
Alena
05/08/2021
This palace was magnificent its ancient style was mesmerizing. The tourguides took us through its history and it was unbelievabe
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