Often described by its residents as the “centre of the whole world,” Split is the heart of Dalmatia and the largest city on the Croatian Adriatic coast. Its UNESCO-protected historic centre is more than 1,700 years old, originating from the palace built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian as his retirement residence.
The basement halls (substructures) of Diocletian’s Palace are among the best-preserved complexes from classical antiquity and a key reason Split’s historic centre was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1979. Originally built as the ground floor to support the imperial residence above, their layout mirrors the palace’s upper levels, helping historians reconstruct the original design.
Over the centuries, the basements were variously inhabited, used for storage, and later filled with rubble, remaining largely inaccessible until major clearances and restorations in the mid-20th century. Fully opened to visitors by 1995, they are now accessible from both the seafront and the peristyle.
Today, the basements are a major cultural attraction, hosting exhibitions, performances, and markets, and gained international fame as a filming location for Game of Thrones.
Split is a city of striking contrasts, where layers of history blend seamlessly with contemporary life. Roman mosaics and Egyptian sphinxes coexist with modern festivals such as Ultra Europe, while luxury yachts share the waterfront with the traditional fishing port of Matejuška—creating a destination that is both timeless and vibrant.
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