Split Walking Tour: History, Legends & Tales

We'll start our tour at main promenade Riva. You'll see a model of Split and hear an introduction about Diocletian, his Palace and Split in general.

We will pass through Substructures of Diocletian's Palace, a fascinating labyrinth of underground corridors and rooms that once served as the foundation of Emperor Diocletian's palace. As we explore this underground maze, you will marvel at the sophisticated engineering techniques used by the ancient Romans and imagine life within these rooms centuries ago.

On our way to the next stop - Vestibulum, the grand entrance hall of Diocletian's Palace - we'll walk through the southern parts of the Palace, where Diocletian's Apartments once stood, as wells as Triklinium (dining Hall) and his gardens.

Next stop - Peristyle! Peristyle is a unique experience, one of the closest touches of a modern man with the ancient heritage, not only Roman, but also Egyptian, as the Peristyle is closely watched over by a 3500 old and perfectly preserved sphinx, the witness of Split's history in making.

Our next stop will be the Golden Gate, a magnificent entranceway that once welcomed visitors into Diocletian's Palace with its grandeur. Then we'll head to the statue of Gregory of Nin. Legend has it that rubbing the statue's big toe brings good luck and grants wishes. So, don't forget to make a wish!

Just outside the walls of Diocletian’s Palace sits Pjaca (the official name: People’s Square. It is located just past the western walls of Diocletian’s Palace, at the exit of the Iron Gate. As the population grew, the palace became too small and Pjaca was the first area developed beyond the walls in the 14th century. Home to the former 15th-century city hall, Pjaca has been a gathering space for centuries, and it’s still a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee or a nighttime stroll.

There are several landmarks decorating this not so large a square thriving with city life in bars, restaurants and exclusive shops, a venue often used also by fairs. The biggest is certainly the octagonal Venetian tower, the leftover of the former fortress, built in the 15th century for the defence of, at the time, a small town. Opposite the tower is a magnificent Palace of the old family Milesi from the 17th century with a spectacular Baroque facade, one of the best examples of that style in the whole of Dalmatia.

As our journey comes full circle, we'll conclude our tour where it all began - Riva Harbor. From the ancient walls of Diocletian's Palace to the vibrant streets of Split, we've explored the rich tapestry of history and culture that defines this coastal gem.