Guide to Split in Croatia
There is evidence of an older Greek town in the area but the founding of Split is normally associated with the construction of the palatial buildings of Emperor Dioceltian in 305 AD. Today the palace grounds form an integral part of the old city full of bustling shops, piazzas and marketplaces. This is where you will find the Duje Cathedral, formally the emperor’s mausoleum and many more of the city’s attractions.
Over time Split developed into an important port city and during the communist era it developed its profitable ship building industry. The city is still a popular destination on the Mediterranean cruise itinerary and for day trips around the Adriatic Sea.
Attractions
The remains of the emperor’s palace built 1,700 years ago for the Emperor Diocletian, which includes examples of old churches, shops, city defences, gates and has since 1979 been classified as a UNESCO heritage site.
Cathedral of St Duje has at its centre the mausoleum of Emporer Diocletian, today it has a Romanesque interior and from its 197 ft bell tower you can get an excellent panorama across the city.
Narodni Trg, the People’s Square is a trendy spot for locals to gather and is a nicely laid out pedestrian area from the 14th century surrounded with bars and cafés. The main attraction in the square is the Venetian Gothic influenced, 15th century town hall.
Croatian National Theatre is a building with an impressive exterior and an equally as remarkable programme of events by its troop of professional performers.
Beaches & cruises
Split has some gorgeous sun kissed beaches on the Adriatic coastline with golden soft sands and crystal clear waters. The most popular place to gather is Bacvice with lots of seaside entertainment and places to eat and drink. There are also a number of sea cruises to Italy and along the Croatian coast.
Museums & Galleries
The Archaeological Museum founded in 1820 is the oldest such institution in Croatia and along with the Split City Museum and the Ethnographical Museum provide excellent attractions for visitors to the city. There is also the Croatian Maritime Museum and the excellent Gallery of Fine Art with its collection of contemporary artists and iconic religious paintings, particularly works from the 14th century.
Transport
The Adriatic Highway linking Split to Zagreb makes car travel around the city easy and the local bus service provides the main form of transport, although they have developed a limited subway network, which they intend on increasing. Split Airport welcomes 1.2 million visitors each year and has connections to London, Frankfurt, Zagreb and Bonn. The port is the third busiest in the Med and over 260 ships dock annually, with daily trips to Ancona, Dubrovnik and Rijeka.
Accommodation
For visitors wishing to find accommodation in Split, the Radisson Blu Resort makes the ideal base for discovering this Croatian city. It boasts vast public areas, 246 plush rooms and suites, a spa facility and swimming pool. Dining at the hotel is a pure delight at the Fig Leaf Restaurant offering scrumptious meals from its Mediterranean themed menu or fish dishes at the Caper Grill, while the Minstrel Restaurant provides its diners with breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea.
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