Split

Croatia's second largest city, Split, is a fascinating place. Amazing Roman ruins, a beautiful coastline, a wide variety of restaurants, and a host of boutiques and galleries hidden away in a warren of tight alleys--something for everyone!

 

 

Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruled from AD 284-305, built and retired to a mammoth palace in Split. Today, it is home to thousands of residents and houses countless restaurants and shops, which nicely blend into the old stone walls.

The statute of Bishop Gregory of Nin, a 10th-century Croatian who attempted to persuade the Vatican to allow sermons in Croatian rather than Latin. Today, those who seek good luck rub Gregory's toe.

                                 A residential area. One lady, now in her eighties, maintains the garden.

 

   The Peristyle, or main square, was the focal point of the Palace. Many of the pillars were brought from    Egypt.

The Emperor also imported thirteen sphinxes from Egypt; the black one above is the only one that is still substantially intact.

                                                                The Split open-air market.

                                                             Potent beverages are common!

                                                             The Cathedral of St. Domnius.

                    A Croatian wedding celebration in the Square, following a ceremony in the Cathedral. 

                                                               A few evening street scenes.