Vestibule, Split

Vestibule, Split

Occasionally, a klapa ensemble will meet in the Vestibule of the Palace of Diocletian. They are there to practice their traditional a cappella singing called "Klapa". Their harmonies resound within the circular vault of the rotunda. One can imagine even the restless ghost of the emperor stops to listen.

The Vestibule is a rotunda with a missing dome. Where the dome should be is a perfect circle of blue sky. It reminds one of the smoke holes in the ancient pagan temples. Today, instead of smoke from sacrificial fires, melodies escape to the open air.

Like an atrium, the Vestibule is the first part of the hall in the Palace leading from the peristyle to the imperial apartments. The Vestibule was designed to be an impressive reception hall for distinguished visitors and ambassadors.

But why do the Klapa groups meet in the Vestibule? The acoustics! The rounded walls resonate like a drum.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Split. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Vestibule on Map

Sight Name: Vestibule
Sight Location: Split, Croatia (See walking tours in Split)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Split, Croatia

Create Your Own Walk in Split

Create Your Own Walk in Split

Creating your own self-guided walk in Split is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Split Introduction Walking Tour

Split Introduction Walking Tour

Split is the largest city in Dalmatia. It is a regional transport center, a tourist magnet, and the ancient dacha of the Roman emperor Diocletian. Like most other cities of the Mediterranean, it started out as a Greek colony. The original name was Aspalatos.

Supposedly, the city owes its name to the word for "spiny broom." Which spiny broom is not clear, but history has many such...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Marjan Hill Walking Tour

Marjan Hill Walking Tour

Marjan Hill is a picturesque natural wonder – a unique landform – located on the Split peninsula in Croatia. The majestic hill (or the low mountain, if you like) is surrounded by the sea and the city, and represents the green oasis ideal for walks, excursions, and rock climbing. Visitors to the area are greeted with a plethora of sights catering to various interests and equally enjoyed by...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Diocletian Palace Tour

Diocletian Palace Tour

One of the best preserved monuments of the Roman architecture in the world, Diocletian's Palace was built for the Emperor Diocletian, at the turn of the 4th century AD, as his retirement home. Massive and resembling a fortress rather, it represents a combination of a luxury villa and a military garrison, and is divided into four parts by two main streets. Integral of the historic core of...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.6 Km or 0.4 Miles