With this post, I want to introduce you to the beautiful city of Split which is the second biggest city in Croatia. Although I never lived there my connection to this lovely coast town started in my childhood. I remember when my parents used to go to Split occasionally because of their work. I was always very excited about it because I was hoping to get a present when they come back. I still have a memory of a beige sweater with some coloured details on it. I felt very special wearing it because in a small town like mine there was no place to buy something similar.
Later on after some other life events, Split and I built a special connection. Because of that I can surely say that I love the town in a special way. I just remembered a song that goes something like “There is some secret connection…”
Split was established in the times of Roman Empire when the emperor Diocletian decided to build a palace. The palace was a foundation for the further growth of the city.
An interesting detail is that the Diocletian Palace is (just like the whole historical core of Split) one of the UNESCO’s World’s Heritage monuments since 1979. If you visit this beautiful town you will see monuments of the old Roman Empire and Medieval that are not there just to be looked at but certain buildings are actually being used. You will travel through time seeing great Ancient architecture like peristyle, Medieval Romanesque churches and Gothic palaces. You will also see the Renaissance portals of noble houses, Baroque facades, but also modern architecture all together combined in a magnificent whole.
Very soon you will notice that Split’s locals are very open and friendly people. They love their town but are also very warmhearted so they will make you feel like home.
Last summer I enjoyed with my husband in this beautiful sunny town and I have to admit that I hesitated coming home. Some of my friends and acquaintances also live there what makes me even more attached to that lovely city.
Split locals enjoy eating fish so the local farmer market is a very important part for every Split family. Don’t miss it!
If you take a walk on the seafront you will notice that it’s a place where people drink coffee and have sometimes loud conversations (Split women can be very tempered ;) ) and even the tourist do that. Every time I come by one of my biggest pleasures is to sit by the seafront with a cup of coffee or an ice cream in my hand and do some people watching :)
Split isn’t just a town you will be amazed by while watching its historical architecture but you will also enjoy top gastronomy and wines.
I want to highlight Diocletian’s Wine House restaurant that will satisfy even those who have an exceptional taste for food and also fine wine lovers. My husband and I enjoyed good food and amazing service of this representative restaurant. I would recommend you to look for it inside the Diocletian Palace in the Julius Nepos Street. An interesting fact is that just on the entrance of that place, under the three arcs of the palace 1600 ago the Emperor Julius Nepos was killed.
If you come to Split you will, for sure, find for yourself other interesting features of the town. Things like many different cultural events, film and theatre festivals, art galleries, museums, concerts etc. Split also has a long sports tradition, which is not that common for small cities.
And when you get bored by the city, go visit Marijan (a hill above the town) where you can do many different activities. If you like jogging, cycling or hiking, then Marijan is a perfect place for you.
What I find the most appealing about Split are its beaches with crystal clear sea - the famous sandy “Bacvice” beach and some more quiet, calmer rocky/cliffy beaches.
I hope that this small demonstration of this small paradise on the Adriatic sea was useful to you. Through my further posts I will introduce you to the rest of the beauty of my dear country Croatia.
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