From Salona to Split

The ruins of an Amphitheatre, a theatre, fortified walls, aqueducts, baths, temples, necropolis and basilicas, still bear witness to the size, prosperity and opulence of the ancient city, once inhabited by the estimated 60 000 people. We must highlight the Manastirine site and the Episcopal centre as the most important cemeterial or early Christian complex in this part of Europe.

From Salona we continue towards the place which stores its most precious findings, the Archaeological Museum of Split, the oldest museum institution in south-eastern Europe. Since 1820, it has been preserving an extraordinary archaeological heritage found in this region. Eleven collections that this museum features will decently present an archaeological heritage of the area and get you introduced to some real people from antique times as well. From the museum we descend towards the nearby city centre, to an open-air living museum, the beautiful city of Split. Once arrived, we shall take some time off so you could enjoy having in Split restaurant and bar scene. Just after you feel comfortable continuing the tour, our guide will start with the introduction of the city and its peculiarities.

Split is not only a city; it is a living monument of antique architecture intertwined with early Christian, Byzantine and Medieval art, listed as a World Heritage since its start, back in 1979.

The city was born inside a spacious Roman palace that was built by the charismatic Roman Emperor Diocletian as his retirement residence. At its beginning, it was a place of pagan worship, with the Emperor Diocletian’s mausoleum, which was later ironically transformed into one of the first cathedrals in the world – St. Duje, celebrating the martyr that gave his life in the Amphitheatre in Salona in 304 AD, thus becoming the patron of Split. The Imperial cellars, the Peristyle, picturesque streets and squares, temples, sphinxes, fruit market, medieval palaces, fish market… The vivid pulse of the city will embrace your perception. It’s a beautiful picture and a pleasant melody, engraved into the hearts of its citizens.