Photos

Peristyle

Central place in the historical capital of Dalmatia is the palace of Emperor Diocletian. The Lord of the empire had a huge affection for the land from which he came from. Spalatum was his favorite place to escape from the current affairs and a haven for the last years of his life.

Despite the historical heritage of the city of Split is a thoroughly modern, in any case, does not celebrate its history as ostentatiously as let's say Dubrovnik. Everyday life goes on here behind the scenes and that's ancient.

The size of the palace shows, who was the owner. Marked the boundaries of the outer walls of the complex measuring 40 m2. Had to make an impression even to Rome. From the sea moored adjacent to the galley. A few centuries later, here heaped waterfront promenade. Diocletian's palace each year thousands of tourists visit. Indeed, the entrance to it is something non-trivial. Guests can enter to the headquarters of the Emperor by tunnel from the sea, which once passed the commander of the Imperial ships.

Peristyle colonnade surrounded frequented the best setting for the speeches of the emperor, who considered himself to be the son of Jupiter. At the entrance to the mausoleum of Diocletian, the present Cathedral of Sv. Dujam watches like in ancient Egyptian temples, black sphinx.

A few years after his appointment Diocletian became famous as a ruthless killer of Christians. Apparently, Christians, unable to take revenge on their oppressors in a different way, drew the outside facade of the palace of offensive caricatures.

The real irony of history, a few centuries later, Diocletian's mausoleum was rebuilt to the Christian church. Perhaps the emperor turned over in his grave when a few steps from the place of his burial the first Archbishop of Split had rise high bell towers.

Modern Split is the second largest city in Croatia. It lives about 200 thousand inhabitants. Port located here is a window to the world for the young country. Anyone who would like to experience the atmosphere of bygone eras should go to the old town. Reminder of the times of the Roman is temple of Jupiter is the great portal, which - and here again caprice of history, which would not be happy Diocletian - were swapped for the Baptistery of Saint John.

At the National Square - the main square of the city, monuments reminiscent of the late Middle Ages, when the Split got the possession of Venice. Many centuries later, in 1945, in the town hall in Split formed the first government of the Republic of Croatia being a part of Yugoslavia.

Near the square is the harbor's promenade, which is decorated with palm trees. At this point, the story gives way to the present, and musings on bygone centuries playful rest.

This is a scan from negative.