Split is home to many cultural and historical sites, some of which are included in the famous UNESCO list. In addition, Split is a great place for a beach holiday.
Top 10 Sightseeing in Split
What is there to see in Split? We offer you a brief description of Split attractions with photos and names and advise you to visit this Croatian resort for sure.
Meštrović Gallery
This gallery was founded by the most famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović in the mid-20th century. He was born in Split, but showed and glorified his artistic talent in Paris, lived and died in the United States.
Meštrović bequeathed his villa in Split to Croatia, his gallery was opened there after his death, and the sculptor’s foundation is located in Zagreb. At first there were a few dozen sculptures, but now there are almost two hundred.
Peristyle
A peristyle is a courtyard that is part of a dwelling house from Antiquity. In ancient Rome it was the name of a courtyard, a square, a garden inside a house, surrounded by a colonnade. This concept in architecture has been known to scholars since the 4th century BC.
The peristyle of Diocletian’s palace is a large square decorated with pillars of red granite, the very heart of the entire dwelling. Today the square is home to the local cathedral, the temple of Jupiter, etc. monuments.
Diocletian’s Aqueduct
This ancient structure is located at the entrance to Split. In ancient Roman times and later aqueducts were used to deliver water. This aqueduct is 9 km long and was built to link the River Nucleus and Diocletian’s palace.
This is how the palace and nearby settlements around it were supplied with water. Today the ancient Roman aqueduct of the 3rd century AD. partially preserved. It was greatly damaged by the invasion of the Goths in the 6th century, after which it was not used.
In the 19th century, the authorities of Split, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, repaired and started up the aqueduct. It worked until the 1930s, and then the first waterworks were built in Croatia. And the aqueduct became an ancient monument of history and culture.
The Church of St. John the Baptist. Trinity
This church is located in northern Dalmatia, it was not built until the 9th century, and was first mentioned in the annals of the mid-11th century. The church was found in the second half of the 19th century by an English architect in a completely abandoned state.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the church was restored and renovated. Many years later, an ancient altar was discovered there, which is now in the Archaeological Museum in Split. The church itself and its altar were built in the pre-Romanesque style.
Croatian National Theater
This theater was built and opened in Split in the late 19th century, at that time it was the largest in southeastern Europe. Its auditorium could hold a thousand spectators at a time.
At first, the theater was intended for acting troupes that came here on tour from Italy. But in the early 20th century Split had its own drama company, then opera and ballet troupes. Nowadays, the theater gives about 300 performances a year.
Jupiter Temple
This temple was ordered by the emperor to be built in honor of the chief god of ancient Rome. It is part of Diocletian’s Palace and is included in the famous UNESCO list. The temple has been preserved not only externally, it also has ancient interiors.
The temple was built along with the aforementioned palace. Part of it was not completed because. Diocletian suddenly relinquished power. Later attempts were made to convert the temple of Jupiter into a Christian church. Inside are two sarcophagi with the ashes of the archbishops.
Archaeological Museum
This museum was founded in the early 19th century at the behest of the Dalmatian authorities. It is located in the north of Split, has a rich archaeological collection and is considered the oldest in Eastern Europe, be sure to see it in Split.
Here you can see prehistoric finds, artifacts from the times of ancient Rome and the Adriatic colony, early Christian relics, all eras of the Middle Ages are richly represented. The museum building was designed by a Viennese architect.
Emperor Diocletian’s Palace
This majestic palace was built at the behest of Emperor Diocletian in the 3rd century AD and has an area of about 4,500 square meters. It is believed that the emperor spent his last years here growing cabbage.
Today much of the palace has been destroyed, with only the Main Entrance, some of the Gates and the Peristyle well preserved. In the 15th century, the Palace of Papalic, another cultural and historical landmark of Split, was built inside this palace.
Split Cathedral
It is the main Catholic church in Split, built on the site of Diocletian’s mausoleum. The emperor was known for his brutal persecution of Christians. This is the oldest functioning temple in the world, and it is listed by UNESCO.
The cathedral was built over many centuries, with several eras of humanity closely intertwined. It was originally a mausoleum, but the sarcophagi of the emperor and his consort were destroyed in the 7th century. The bell tower of the temple was erected in the early 12th century.
Museum of Ethnography
This museum opened its doors at the beginning of the last century and has exhibited seven large collections throughout its existence. A few years after opening, the museum moved into the old town hall, built in the 14th century in the Gothic style.
The museum’s collections are devoted to Dalmatia and other regions of Croatia: the handicrafts of the people who lived there, the objects of everyday life used by them. Well presented handicrafts, costumes, jewelry, etc.
Video overview of Split attractions
Split is the second largest city in Croatia and has a history of more than 17 centuries. It is located on the Adriatic Sea and is one of the main tourist centers of the country.
Almost the entire population of Split works in the tourism business and related industries: trade, fishing, shipping, etc. There is a booming tourist infrastructure.
