Split-the Palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian
Welcome
Split is the second largest city in Croatia, a city in Central Dalmatia. The city was originally built around Diocletian palace (a palace/fort built for the retired Roman emperor Diocletian) where the locals sought refuge centuries ago. Despite initial appearances, however, the city is not a small tourist town, and extends over a large area well beyond the ancient core. With over 300,000 people in the wider bay area, its the economic hub of the eastern Adriatic shoreline (the unofficial "capital" of Dalmatia). Wandering the historic centre of Split you can still clearly see the Roman walls, squares, and temples...
Many famous Croatian sports people have been born in Split, so locals often nickname their city as"The Sportiest City in the World". The most popular sport institution is the football club Hajduk. The whole city is painted in the club's colours and logo. This is done by Torcida, the oldest supporters group in Europe, established in 1950. Beside the bell tower of St. Duje, the symbols of city are the Dalmatian dog and donkey. Locals have a high place for the donkey because of its past indispensable place in field work and transport across Dalmatian mountains. The city of Split has a mild climate, with 2700 sunny hours per year, which makes it an oasis where, sheltered from the wind, anyone can enjoy the sun even in wintertime.
The industrial, university, and business centre of the region nourishes its "green soul" the hill Marjan situated in the westernmost part of the peninsula. Its forested park infringed by the city and the sea offers pleasant walks away from the city noise under the pines by the sea.
