What You Will Do
This is a walking tour of Split with a local historian! Your guide Toni, the owner of Dioclespot Tours, will walk you through Split's center and explain its complex history and culture - from ancient Rome and Diocletian's Palace to modern times!
This tour was ranked 2nd best travel experience in Croatia in 2023 and it was placed in the top 1% of all experiences in the world!
Toni has a Master's degree in history, so he can provide much more knowledge than what is learned in a tour guide course. Also, Toni is a local, born and still living in Split!
He combines that with the expertise and education gained as a teacher to make his tours a true learning experience!
Toni speaks fluent English and enforces dialogue as much as possible during the tour since it provides much more personal contact with the guide and it's easier and more enjoyable to learn that way.
He will present you with 3D reconstructions of the sites visited, which are a result of Toni's own work and dedication!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
Meeting Point
Brass Gate of Diocletian's Palace (also called Bronze Gate). That is the southern seaside entrance from the Promenade (Riva) into the Cellars of Diocletian's Palace. It is a small entrance into the Palace Walls, next to the 'Gentile' coffee bar. The guide holds a sign 'Magister of History'
1
Riva Harbor
15 minutes
Split's Riviera, the most important site for all of the local residents. There are some graphic and model representations here that I use for an introduction to what is going to be shown inside the Palace. Also, the southern wall of Diocletian's Palace is beautifully seen from that spot.
2
Old Split
All the little details I will be showing you on the way, noble palaces, and many other things. Even though Split is most notable for its attractions from the Roman times, the City is filled with many medieval, renaissance and early modern age heritage.
3
The Peristyle of Diocletian's Palace
10 minutes
The central square of Diocletian's Palace and one of the most important squares of the city today. We will be able to see some incredibly preserved Roman structures, and I will show you my 3D reconstructions of the area to give you a better idea of how much of the decorations and buildings are still original.
4
Cathedral of Saint Domnius
10 minutes
The Cathedral or the grave of emperor Diocletian (Mausoleum) is one of the best-preserved Roman structures in the city, and it's still in use to this day! I will explain everything you need to know about it, the bell tower and how it was converted from a grave to a Cathedral by the Christians. We will not be entering inside, but everything that needs to be know about will be said.
5
Temple of Jupiter
15 minutes
The Temple of Jupiter, as they call it, is one of the best-preserved late-roman temples in the world. Here I will show you some anomalies and mistakes that the Romans did as they were constructing it! We will not be entering the temple, as I will show you everything relevant from the outside.
6
Eastern (Silver) Gate
5 minutes
Eastern entrance to Diocletian's Palace. Here is one of the best views of the Palace, with the Cathedral (Mausoleum) on one side, the Silver Gate on the other, and beneath us the only preserved part of the original road.
7
Grgur Ninski Statue
5 minutes
Dominant and recognisable statue, a landmark of Split. I will explain you what it represents and what it means for Croatian language and culture of the early medieval times.
8
Vestibulum of Diocletian's Palace
10 minutes
Ancient entrance to Diocletian's private residence. From here I take you around the remains of Emperor's Diocletians's private residence.
9
Nakic Palace
All the various palaces of noble families that we will see on our way through the Palace.
10
Cindro Palace
All the various palaces of noble families that we will see.
11
Game of Thrones Split Fan Shop
I will show you all of the filming locations of Game of Thrones in Split that we are traveling by if the group is interested. Also, we are passing by the fan shop.
12
The Golden Gate
15 minutes
The main entrance to the Palace. The Golden Gate is the most preserved out of 4 entrances to the palace and also most decorated and most memorable. Also, the entire northern wall is visible form here and we can see how the medieval city was still using all of the Roman-made structures for defense, and how they removed what they didn't need.
13
City Museum of Split
City Museum of Split is situated within one of the best-preserved and most beautiful renaissance noble Palaces. We are not entering the museum itself, but only its courtyard to see the renaissance palace from within. Here I also like to explain our Venetian history, since these kinds of palaces started to appear in their time.
14
Old Town Hall
5 minutes
Here is where we end the tour, on Piazza Square. That is the main square of the city since medieval times. It is the most natural place to end the tour since everything else is easily reachable from here. On the square, we can see the 14th century Town Hall and other interesting structures.
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