Fruit's Square, Split

Officially, it’s called Radić Brothers Square, named after Stjepan and Ante Radić, founders of the Croatian Peasant Party back in 1904, known for bravely standing up to political dominance from Belgrade. They paid dearly for their cause, but their legacy still echoes here.

And yet, ask anyone in Split, and they’ll just say “Fruit’s Square.” Why? Because for centuries, this charming corner of the Old Town was the place to haggle over baskets of figs, peaches, and sun-warmed grapes. Even today, the name sticks—proof that old habits, like old nicknames, die hard.

The square itself is small but rich in character. Most striking is the 15th-century Venetian Tower, an octagonal relic from Split’s medieval fortifications that once watched over traders and townsfolk alike. Directly opposite stands the grand Baroque palace of the noble Milesi family, its bold 17th-century façade often hailed as Croatia’s finest piece of Baroque architecture.

Guarding the square is the dignified statue of Marko Marulić, the 15th-century writer and philosopher, celebrated as the father of Croatian literature. And as you wander across worn stone paving, remember: each slab here has seen centuries of whispered gossip, heated debates, and maybe the occasional squashed fig...

Fruit’s Square may be small, but it offers a perfect slice of Split’s layered past, where stone towers, Baroque elegance, and a stubborn old nickname all come together in one sunny corner of the city.