Walking tour of Split with an Art Historian

We will meet in the midst of Strossmayer Park, locally known as 'Đardin', next to the central fountain. Our story of Split will begin with the tale of water, which brings life to the Palace for over 17 centuries.

Our first sight will not be a glamorous one, but it will help us better understand what makes the city of Split truly unique worldwide. Prepare to travel 1,700 years into the past.

Before entering the Palace at the Golden or Northern Gate, we will stop by the 7-meter tall, bronze statue of Gregory of Nin, work of a famous Croatian sculptor, Ivan Mestrovic. Besides grabbing its toe for good luck, we will learn some intriguing details about this monument that became ingrained in local popular culture.

The northern entrance to the Emperor Diocletian's Palace was one of four entry points to the ancient Roman palace. After learning some of the most intriguing details about its history, we will proceed with our tour along Cardo, the main Roman street stretching from North to South, towards Peristyle.

After entering the Palace through the Golden Gate, we will traverse the ancient Cardo Maximus, the main Roman street that spanned from North to South. This historic pathway leads us directly to our next destination: hidden garden inside the Diocletian's Palace.

After wandering through the north-western corner of Diocletian’s Palace, we will arrive at the Iron Gate. There, you will hear the story of why the Iron Gate was the city's 'platinum' gate throughout its history.

As we stroll along the Decumanus, the grandeur of the Diocletian's Palace reveals itself as we approach the monumental Peristyle. We will learn the story of its origin and history, unraveling many of the stories it holds.

The secret behind this short but significant detour from the Peristyle toward the east will be unveiled on site.

While on the Peristyle, we'll delve into the history of what was originally a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor, which has since been repurposed as a Christian cathedral. Your guide will ensure you receive all the essential information, complemented by intriguing historical details to spark your imagination. We will not be entering the Cathedral since it is a paid site and this tour does not include entering any paid sites or museums.

This must-see attraction was once listed as 'one of the most beautiful European monuments' by the Scottish architect Robert Adam in the 18th century. Its beauty and charm remain just as captivating today.

Measuring less than 10 meters in length and only 57 centimeters wide, this street is recognized as one of the narrowest in the world. However, its significance extends beyond its size. Holding a special place in the memories of Split citizens it is also honored with a public monument on the other location in the city.

Once serving as the entry point to the Emperor's Quarters, Vestibule has become one of the most popular open-air photo spots. We will pause here to admire the scenery, capture a photo or two, and perhaps even savor the traditional 'klapa' singing, often performed in this acoustically rich environment.

Similar to locals, we'll take this 'shortcut,' which holds rich archaeological and historical significance, to reach the Riva waterfront. As we journey, we'll notice a shift in atmosphere from the vibrant Peristyle to the quieter and darker substructures before emerging onto the bustling Riva waterfront. While we won't explore the substructures in their entirety due to additional admission fees and time constraints, we can arrange a separate guided visit if you're interested in delving deeper into this remarkable structure.

As an important meeting place in Split, Riva functions as both a street, a promenade, and a square. We'll take a leisurely stroll along a portion of it to reach our next destination, the Fruit Square.

At the seaside exit of the Diocletian’s Palace Substructures, we will pause at a large model of Split’s Old Town to review city's layout and topography. This stop refreshes what we’ve seen on the tour.
This is also likely our final stop, as exploring the Palace is extensive. If time allows, we may continue. If not, your guide will share tips for further exploration, including her favorite spots in the city.