Split

Split

Hotel Diocletian

Very hot

It was already a hot day when we started our morning tour of Diocletian’s Palace at 9.30.  Our local guide gave us a comprehensive history of the last pagan Roman emperor who lived in the palace from 305 until his death in 316AD.  The palace covers an extensive 35 thousand square meters.  Although the top rooms barely exist the extensive and renovated lower chamber which mirrored the first floor palace are intact.  The first excavation of the site began in 1956 and the palace is now world famous as its lower floor was used for the widely popular series of Game of Thrones.  

The tall thick walls of the palace. The gate lead into a vestibule.

A tunnel and famous doorway in GoT.

The vast interior of the lower level.

Homes sit above the lower floor.  The tower upper right is one of five protecting the palace.

The world renowned A Capello performers of Croatia are protected as an intangible asset by UNESCO. We were treated to a magnificent performance in the palace. 

 A bridge across the alleyway built in 1394 for a local nobleman.

Lots of lovely squares surrounded by restaurants beckoned after the tour.  It was time for a cold drink. 

The beautiful promenade at the waterfront where boats are moored.

We wandered back into the palace for the midday performance of Diocletian and Roman soldiers entering the stage area.  It was short and amusing.  

The statue of Gregory of Nin by Ivan Medtronic  sits outside the palace.  It stands at 8.5 metres tall and is famous as rubbing his toe will bring good luck. 

The heat had become too much by 1.30 so we caught the bus back to our hotel and rested for the rest of the afternoon.  We then headed out for dinner at 6.30pm to a much cooler Split and had a lovely dinner in on the alleyways. I had my second meal of squid risotto and cuttlefish which is delicious.   Split under lights is very pretty.