A long time ago, in the year 293, the best ancient architects had finished an errand of emperor Diocletian - a construction of a fortified palace near the mouth of the river Jadro. An edifice that was supposed to be only a refuge for the emperor's old days turned out to be an origin of a new settlement - the city of Split. Well preseved remnants of the ancient palace still play the central role of the city and its inhabitants.
Proud of their town, the people of Split will often call it "the most beautiful in the world and more than that". Indeed, one of the sunniest cities of Europe provides an unforgetable experience for all you sensec. Well preserved remains of the Palace of Diocletian are interwined in harmony with monuments of later times, mediterranean and subtropical vegetaion of palm trees and aloes and the river of live of the people of Split. A town of an ever young mediterranean temper livens even more in summer when a mixture of nations and languages overwhelm Split as the biggest air and sea port of east Adriatic.
One of the most memorable parts of Split is its waterfront, called the riva. Beggining in the west, in the park forset of Marjan, it flows over the green peninsula of Sustipan, passing the fortifications of the Palace, among the many restaurants and bars, ending at Bačvice beach - a sandy beach in the heart of the town. This beach is the best venue for picigin - the Croatian national sport, and the center of night life of Split.
The ones seeking cultural adventure shouldn't miss the ecnhating placec within the Palace - well preserved remnants of its gates and walls, the bell tower of St. Domnius, the Perystile or a museum hidden in the basements. Visit some of the city museums or spend some time and money shopping at Marmont street. If you have some time to spare, drive to the nearby archeological site of the ancient Salona, one of the richest diggings of roman culture. Visit the citadel of Klis that protected Split from northern conquerors or embark on one of the many ferries that will take you to magnificent Dalmatian islands.
