Croatian cultural heritage - Business - Hrvatska turistička zajednica

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The Split part of Dalmatia shared the same historical fate as other
parts of Dalmatia, but because of its central position and protection
by the vast hinterland, it was less exposed to devastation than its neighbouring regions.
It is for this reason that so many people live here and that the Mediterranean spirit has
been especially preserved. This is especially true for the city of Split, the largest city in
Croatia after Zagreb, as the main cultural centre. Near Split are the other large coastal
resorts of middle Dalmatia, Trogir and Omiš, while further south we have the picturesque
Makarska Riviera. In front of Split, one next to the other, are almost all the large
Dalmatian islands - Brač, Šolta, Čiovo, Hvar and Vis, and directed towards Split is the
largest inland part of Dalmatia, with Sinj, Imotski, Vrlika and Vrgorac.
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Although all of these areas are rich in cultural heritage dating from prehistoric times
to recent times, what makes the central part of Dalmatia particular is the exceptionally
well preserved heritage from the Antique period. There are the two most important
ancient settlements of Dalmatia – the Ancient Greek Issa and the Roman Salon, and also the
largest pearl of Croatia from the Antique period - the HISTORICAL HEART OF SPLIT, DIO-
CLETIAN’S PALACE.
A well known song says that the Roman Emperor Diocletian built his palace in "the most beautiful
part of the world, in the heart of Split" (1), and it is not far from the truth. At the end of the
3rd century, this Roman Emperor chose the location for his palace to be in this safe and quiet
bay at the foot of the wooded hill Marjan, with beautiful islands stretching one after the other,
where healing waters flow even today. The palace is almost an exact square shape, with sides
about 200 metres long, and surrounded by high walls with numerous towers (2). The position
of the palace is so valuable that this location was almost always constantly inhabited from then
until this day and age, and it is still the centre of life in this great Dalmatian city.
The Cathedral of St. Dujam (5), the patron saint of Split, has since the turn of the 4th century
been located in the mausoleum of the Emperor Diocletian, which was slightly converted for this
function and its interior was equipped with valuable religious items. In front of its entrance,
a magnificent Romanesque bell tower was built in the 12th century. Its luxurious interior (3)
is still a gathering place for believers, as well as many tourists. In front of the Cathedral is the
Peristyle, the former space where the worship of Diocletian could be expressed, now gathering
believers and tourists, and the unrivaled summer scene with mythical opera performances,
especially Verdi's Aida (4).
The Diocletian Palace now hosts many theatrical performances (8) and gathers Dalmatian
Klapa singers (7) – it is where the daily life of Split goes on (11). In the vicinity are monu-
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