Split Sightseeing: From Roman Ruins to French Boulevards

Split isn't just another ancient Mediterranean city—it's a living historical tapestry where each stone tells a story of transformation. On this walking tour, you'll discover how Emperor Diocletian's retirement palace (now a UNESCO World Heritage site) evolved into a vibrant medieval city, exploring 1,700 years of continuous adaptation as Roman temples became Christian churches, imperial corridors transformed into bustling streets, and defensive walls morphed into the foundations of homes and shops.

Starting at the bronze model of old town Split near the Bronze Gate, you'll enter Diocletian's Palace through its remarkably preserved southern wall. You'll wander through atmospheric basement halls that mirror the emperor's living quarters above, then emerge into the magnificent Peristyle Square—the heart of the palace complex. Here, you'll see how imperial Roman architecture has been creatively repurposed over the centuries, with noble family homes built directly into ancient colonnades.

Along the way, you'll encounter 3,600-year-old Egyptian sphinxes brought to honor Diocletian, explore the emperor's mausoleum that ironically became a cathedral honoring a saint he executed, and discover the hidden Jewish quarter with its 16th-century synagogue. The tour ends at picturesque Fruit Square, where a statue of Croatian literary pioneer Marko Marulić stands near the remains of a 15th-century Venetian fortress, perfectly embodying Split's blend of cultural influences.

On this 90-minute journey through time, you'll have a chance to:

• Touch the toe of Bishop Gregory's massive bronze statue for good luck, a local tradition dating back to the 1950s
• Admire the grand Peristyle's impressive Egyptian granite columns, transported directly from Thebes at Diocletian's command
• Walk along the original Roman Decumanus and Cardo streets, still serving as main thoroughfares after 17 centuries
• Explore the remarkably preserved Gothic-Renaissance Papalić Palace, masterwork of Croatia's greatest 15th-century builder
• Visit one of Europe's oldest continuously active synagogues, dating to the early 1500s in the former Jewish Quarter
• See the elaborate six-arched windows of the Cipriani family palace, featuring rare architectural details
• Discover the Art Nouveau Nakić House from 1906, representing Austrian influence in Split's architectural landscape
• Stroll along the Riva promenade, created by French rulers who transformed demolition materials into Split's beloved living room

Whether you're fascinated by ancient Roman engineering, medieval adaptation, or simply the Mediterranean joie de vivre evident in Split's café culture, this tour reveals how history has shaped—and continues to shape—this remarkable Croatian city.