Activities in Split

The city of Split, located on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, traces its origins back to the 4th century AD when it was established as a palace for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Diocletian, originally known as Diocles, rose from humble beginnings and achieved the position of emperor through historical accounts that vary in their details.

Diocletian’s decision to construct a retirement palace near his hometown led to the development of what is now known as Split. During the construction phase, Diocletian focused on political and tax reforms, prosecution of Christians, the establishment of a water supply system, and military engagements. After ruling as emperor for a period, Diocletian became the first emperor to voluntarily abdicate the throne.

Upon his abdication in 305 AD, the palace remained unfinished, and ongoing construction work is believed to have taken place during Diocletian’s residence. The architectural concepts and builders responsible for the palace’s construction remain largely unknown. Despite entreaties for his return to resolve political turmoil, Diocletian chose a quieter life focused on growing cabbage, with remnants of his personal garden visible in Split.

Diocletian spent his final years in the palace gardens, finding solace in tending to his cabbage. Historical accounts differ regarding his death, with some suggesting he succumbed to illness and stress caused by political turmoil, while others propose he died content, having distanced himself from the empire’s troubles.

The city of Split still bears traces of Diocletian’s architectural legacy, with the exception of statues depicting Diocletian himself, which were destroyed by Christians in retaliation for his persecution of their faith. Notably, the palace’s mausoleum was repurposed into a cathedral and now serves as the final resting place of Saint Domnius, the patron saint of Split.

Following the decline of the Roman Empire, the palace transformed into a fortified town and witnessed the occupancy of various peoples, including the Croats and Venetians. Throughout the medieval period, Split flourished as a vital center of trade and culture.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Split came under the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After World War I, the city became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, later known as Yugoslavia. Subsequent political transformations within Yugoslavia, including the rise and fall of communism, brought turmoil to the region.

After Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, Split became an integral part of the newly formed independent state. Today, Split is renowned as a prominent tourist destination and a thriving economic center, celebrated for its rich historical heritage, stunning architectural landmarks, and picturesque beaches.