DiocletianPalace
The historic core of Split
Built between the late 3rd century and the early 4th century by and for the Roman
Emperor Diocletian, it was a fortress, a palace and a city unto itself. A UNESCO
World Heritage, Diocletian palace is one of the buildings of ancient Rome's bestpreserved in Europe and worldwide.
A retirement home luxury
Diocletian, man of power and luxury, had ordered the
construction of a palace to serve as its location where to
spend his retirement, near Salona. It is in the village of
Spalato that Diocletian decided its construction, on
ancient ruins of Greek Aspalatos. This palace is a
beautiful example of Roman architecture, where luxury
reigned supreme. Built in the style of the Roman villas of
the time, the best, the finest and most expensive materials
were used, such as marble from Italy, the walls are built
with
stone from the island of Brac, a part of the columns of the
Peristyle are in Egyptian granite, red brick from Salona ...
All the ingredients to make this the most beautiful palace
of the province.
All complemented trophies brought back by Diocletian
during his conquests, two black alabaster sphinx are still
visible one in perfect at the entrance to the cathedral and
the other, unfortunately beheaded at the entrance of the
Temple of Jupiter.
A small town
The construction of this palace generates other
constructions, such as water aqueduct for water supply.
Part of this aqueduct is still visible on the road that leads
from Split in Solin.
More than a palace, it is a real small town that will build
Diocletian, all spanning twenty acres, surrounded by
ramparts, these little town consisted of course of the
private apartments of the Emperor but also those of his
bodyguard, and his servants, and also a mausoleum,
baths, a library, a military barrack, a temple and all the
shops needed