Promenading in Split, Croatia, Split, Croatia

Split is the second largest city in Croatia An unusual characteristic, the wide promenade known as Riva stretches along the sea front reminiscent of some elegant French resorts. The original Riva was established two centuries earlier when this area was ruled by the French under Napoleon.

Cafés and restaurants line the land side of Riva against the dramatic backdrop of an imposing wall. This is the south section of the wall that surrounded Diocletian’s Palace

This palace was built in 295 AD by the Emperor Diocletian. He ordered it to be built as a residence for himself when he retired. It took ten years to build and he lived there until he died in 313 AD. Roman rulers used the palace as a retreat but by the end of the sixth century it was becoming dilapidated. Since then very little of the original palace remains as it became incorporated in in the medieval town of Split. When Diocletian lived there the sea lapped around the south wall as he had a vision - he would sail his boat into the palace. It was so close to the sea the windows were set high in the walls in case the sea level should rise.

I entered the palace through the south entrance (fee payable). After exploring the empty rooms on the south side of the palace I made my way into the centre of the palace now the centre of the old town. Known as the peristyle or peristil it was the main open space in the palace and originally a temple. I entered the square through the archway in the middle of the fourteenth century Pjaca (town hall) that now houses the archaeological museum. The Cathedral of St Domnius stretches along the eastern side of square. It was built when the palace was built as a mausoleum for Diocletian but was later turned into a cathedral to house the bones of the Bishop Domnius. The colonnaded square has steps on both sides. Visitors can sit here to appreciate the amazing mixture of old and new. The square illustrates the way in which the palace and the town have merged together and evolved into the present day city. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).