Split is the largest city on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea and the second largest city in Croatia. It is both an economic and tourist center, attracting more and more visitors from all over the world each year. The city is famous for its ancient Roman Palace, beautiful sea, and surrounding islands. Although relatively small compared to other European tourist metropolises, it doesn’t fall short when it comes to attractions and experiences. Its history, gastronomy, and unique vibe are just some of the reasons why Split is an unmissable summer destination. For that reason, it’s worth learning a bit more about it — and today we bring you 15 things you should know before your visit.

1. The city where the Roman emperor came to vacation

Today, the panorama of Split is unimaginable without the Palace that rises right next to the Riva and adorns the old core of the city.

But do you know how and when it was built?

Emperor Diocletian was a Roman emperor who ruled from 284 to 305 AD. He was born in Salona, and toward the end of his life, he retired to a seaside villa he built in the nearby city of Split, close to the healing sulfur springs.

It’s fair to say this was no ordinary villa, but a Palace in every sense of the word. Stone from Brač, black granite from Africa, and marble from Italy make the Palace in the center of Split a breathtaking sanctuary covering 40,000 square meters. The Palace is divided into four sections — the southern part was reserved for the emperor himself, and the northern part for the imperial guard. Several gates led into the complex. Today, you can find them near the statue of Gregory of Nin (Golden Gate), by the market (Silver Gate), on the west side near the Benedetti Palace (Iron Gate), and by the exit from the Basement leading to the sea (Bronze Gate).

When the Romans called for him to return, the emperor replied: “If you saw where I’ve settled, you would never ask me to come back.” That sentence says it all, doesn’t it?

2. How did Split get its name?

When you type “Split, Croatia” into Google, the first image you’ll likely see is Diocletian’s Palace, which you learned a bit more about a few paragraphs above. It’s safe to say that the Roman emperor’s palace is the symbol of the city of Split. In fact, one theory about how Split got its name is based on the Latin word for “palace” (palatium), which strikingly resembles earlier versions of the city’s name (Spalatus, Spalatium).

However, there is another, more romantic version of how this Adriatic coastal city got its name — and it has to do with nothing other than a flower. The whole region of Dalmatia is covered with a well-known yellow flower called Spanish broom (brnistra), and Split is no exception. But for today’s story, the Greek name is the important one: “asphalatos,” written in Greek as “Ασπάλαθος.”

See where we’re going with this?

Before Emperor Diocletian’s time, Greek settlers spent their days in this area, and it’s easy to imagine that it was they who gave Split its name, inspired by the yellow hills surrounding the city.

Of course, it’s impossible to know for certain — all of these are theories, based on more or less solid evidence from the past.

3. A touch of Egypt in the Mediterranean

Alongside the pyramids, the sphinx is one of the most recognizable symbols of ancient Egypt and the myths surrounding it. But did you know that you can also see sphinxes in Croatia — right in the very center of Split? And do you know what connects Split and Egypt?

The already mentioned Emperor Diocletian, who is often credited with fortifying the city of Split, was a great admirer of Egyptian culture. Moreover, Egypt was a Roman colony during his reign, which means Emperor Diocletian was technically the “owner” of Egypt — allowing him to take whatever he pleased without difficulty or cost. He was especially fond of sphinxes and decided to bring several to adorn his seaside palace in Split. According to records, up to 12 sphinxes were shipped from Egypt on his orders to decorate the palace’s façades.

Most of the sphinxes were later destroyed during Christian campaigns, as they were considered pagan symbols. The best-preserved one still stands proudly on the Peristyle, made of African black granite, and has been there for thousands of years on one of Split’s most beautiful squares. It dates back to the time of Pharaoh Thutmose III, making it one of the oldest artifacts in Split — over 3,000 years old.

4. The oldest cathedral in the world

Ironically, although Diocletian once expelled Christians, the city he founded is now home to the oldest cathedral in the world, where religious services are still held today, and the building remains in its original structure without major restorations to its interior or exterior.

This is the Cathedral of St. Domnius (locally known as St. Duje) in Split. The cathedral is located within Diocletian’s Palace complex on the Peristyle and was originally built as the emperor’s mausoleum in the early 4th century, as Emperor Diocletian decided that this would be his eternal resting place.

In the 7th century, the local population fled from the Avars and Slavs, and when some of them later returned to Split, they transformed the imperial mausoleum into a Christian church, removing the pagan idols and the sarcophagus in which the emperor once rested. Today, it is open to visitors (except during mass), and we highly recommend climbing the bell tower for the most stunning view of Split and the nearby islands (Čiovo, Brač, and Šolta).

5. Hajduk as a kind of religion

It is well known that Split is the capital of Olympians and is likely the city that has produced the most Olympic medals in Croatia. However, there is one sports club that the people of Split hold above all others, regardless of achievements.

Hajduk is a club celebrated in countless songs; matches are never missed, and the love for Hajduk is a way of life that the people of Split proudly cherish. As you walk through the city, you’ll see numerous murals and graffiti dedicated to the club, and matches at the Poljud Beauty stadium are an experience unlike any other — not just because it’s one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world, but also because of the atmosphere and choreography of the famous Torcida, the devoted supporters who stand by Hajduk through every victory and defeat.

It’s easy to tell when there’s a match day in Split. Everyone dresses in white and wears scarves to show their support for Hajduk — and they return to every game with the same passion, no matter the outcome.

6. Olympic City

As mentioned earlier, Split is truly a city of top athletes, and the results and Olympic medals speak for themselves. In addition to the legendary Goran Ivanišević and his unforgettable Wimbledon victory, Split can proudly boast 72 athletes who have won Olympic medals. Their names are forever engraved on plaques along the western promenade of the Riva, and some even brought home two medals to Split. We also can’t forget to mention the basketball club Jugoplastika, which FIBA declared the best basketball club of the 20th century. It’s safe to say that this city truly lives and breathes sports — further proof that the Mediterranean lifestyle is one of the healthiest in the world.

7. Picigin – Split sport

When talking about sports, it’s impossible not to mention picigin. Picigin is a Croatian amateur sport that originated in Split, specifically on Bačvice Beach. It’s played by people of all ages and is recognized as an item of Croatia’s intangible cultural heritage. Although mainly a summer sport, picigin enthusiasts play it all year round — and it has even become a tradition to play picigin on Bačvice on the first day of the New Year. Picigin is a game with no winners, and that’s why it’s difficult to speak of strict rules. The basic rules are very simple: five players stand in shallow water, about ten to twenty centimeters deep (if the sea is deeper, it only slows the game and reduces its appeal), arranged in a pentagon about six to seven meters apart. They hit a small ball (called “balun”) with their palms, trying to keep it from falling into the sea.

8. The Lucky Finger of Gregory of Nin

In addition to being home to top athletes, Split is also the city of outstanding artists. One of the greatest sculptors of all time, Ivan Meštrović, gifted Split with the statue of Gregory of Nin. The statue is a great source of pride for the people of Split, and over time it has become part of a local tradition and superstition — if you touch Gregory’s toe and make a wish, it is said to come true. Thousands of people do this regularly, and the toe has become polished to a golden color from constant touching, making it easy to spot where you need to touch to try your own luck. The website virtualtourist.com even included Gregory of Nin’s toe among the world’s ten most famous symbols of good luck.

9. Peškarija and Pazar

It’s well known that the secret of Mediterranean cuisine lies in fresh ingredients and variety, and we definitely recommend embracing that philosophy during your vacation in Dalmatia. Next to the city’s main street, Marmontova Street, you’ll find the Peškarija, or fish market, where you can find all kinds of fresh fish for your meal. It’s a special experience where you’ll come across a wide variety of shellfish, fish, and octopus. In the morning, the place functions as a fish market, but after noon it’s cleaned and transformed into a restaurant — so make sure to visit early enough if you want to experience it. The same goes for the fruit and vegetable market, Pazar, where, in addition to buying fresh produce, you can also soak up the lively atmosphere and enjoy a dose of local chatter and the true spirit of Split.

10. The tradition of drinking coffee

Split embraces a lifestyle guided by the mantra “slow down,” “take it easy,” “no rush,” and this mindset is most evident in the beloved local ritual of sipping coffee for hours. In Split, going for a coffee isn’t just about drinking coffee — it’s a ritual that involves conversation, spending time with friends, and meeting new people. “Coffee” is merely a placeholder for a Mediterranean social ritual that the people of Dalmatia deeply enjoy. So keep that in mind when you’re walking along the Riva in Split and notice the packed cafés, or when you go “for a coffee” with a local — it’s unlikely to be just a quick meetup.

11. Both swimming and hiking

We’re sure you’re already impressed by Croatia’s diversity and the fact that in such a small country you can both swim and hike. But for experiences like that, you don’t even have to leave Split or go deeper into the country. If you’re adventurous, in Split’s hinterland you’ll find Mount Mosor and Kozjak Hill, where you can visit mountain lodges that offer a place to rest and refresh yourself. On Mount Mosor, you can even enjoy traditional local dishes that will surely give you the strength to continue your journey to the top.

12. Morpurgo Library

Split can proudly boast one of the oldest bookstores in Europe, alongside those in Lisbon and Paris. It was founded in 1860 by a Split-born Jewish entrepreneur, Vid Morpurgo. If we also consider the fact that this bookstore has never changed its location, we can safely say it stands as a true monument to culture. It survived two world wars, capitalism, and economic crises, and its long existence can be seen as a metaphor for the resilience of the Dalmatian spirit. Unfortunately, it closed its doors five years ago — 157 years after its founding. As it is considered an immovable part of Croatia’s cultural heritage, the protected status of the site requires that nothing other than a bookstore may occupy the premises of the Morpurgo Bookstore.

13. Prophet Muhammad at the Franciscan Monastery

A lesser-known fact is that Islam forbids the depiction of the face of the Prophet Muhammad. This prohibition arose as a response to idolatry and was influenced by the depiction of Jesus Christ as a man, which led to the popularization and worship of Christ himself. One of the fundamental beliefs of Islam is that Muhammad was a man, not God, and there was a widespread fear that portraying him as a human being could lead people to worship him rather than Allah. There are rare exceptions in countries such as Turkey or Iran, but in general, the written word is a far more important tool for spreading the faith than images, and calligraphy is usually the only form of decoration in mosques. Why are we mentioning this? Because one of the rare depictions of the Prophet Muhammad can actually be found in Split — and nowhere else but in a Franciscan monastery. It was precisely this image that stopped the Turks from destroying and burning the church and monastery in the 16th century after they saw the picture of their prophet on its walls.

14. Marjan – the lungs of Split

Marjan Forest Park covers the western part of Split, and locals lovingly refer to it as the lungs of the city. It spans a vast area roughly the size of Central Park in New York and is an essential spot for all recreation lovers — but that’s not all that beloved Marjan has to offer. You can take a walk through the forest, stop at several viewpoints, swim at the beaches at its base, or visit chapels that have been attracting visitors for centuries. One that deserves special mention is the Chapel of St. George, built in 1500 — and you’ll notice something unusual about it: it literally emerges from the rock.

15. Split fashion

Split is the kind of city where you’ll see plenty of well-dressed women and men, and sunglasses are the main fashion accessory since it’s sunny for most of the year. Casual and sporty clothes are reserved for walks around Marjan, while coffee on the Split Riva calls for something a bit more elegant. Croatians are people who always like to look good and keep up with global fashion trends, so don’t be surprised by the stylish scenes you’ll encounter around the city.

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