Split
Croatia's picturesque city of Split has a rich and varied history and since ancient times has served as the economic centre for the spectacular Croatian Adriatic coastline, which is now called Dalmatia. The city sits mainly on a peninsula on the eastern part of the island of Ciovo, although it has nowadays spread onto the mainland and encompasses the mouth of the River Cetina. From the 5th to the 2nd century BC Greek colonists settled the mainland and adjacent islands. Later, came the Romans: in particular the Emperor Diocletian, who, being of Dalmatian origin, elected to build a huge palace at a spot then called Salona, in AD303. A town grew up around the palace, and eventually, by the Middle Ages, the city of Split had begun to develop. Diocletian's Palace still stands in the very heart of the old part of Split, which charms visitors with its cobbled streets. The greater Split area is characterised by its lush vegetation and green areas, particularly Marjan Hill on the west of the peninsula with its ancient indigenous forest. The city makes an ideal base from which to explore the islands, beauty spots, and historic villages in central Dalmatia.
Diocletian's Palace
The Palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who retired his throne in 305 AD and built his impressive palace in Dalmatia on the south peninsula and the coasts of the Adriatic Sea. The spot he chose is now the very heart of the city of Split, and the palace still stands as one of the city's major tourist attractions. The building and the entire historic Split inner city area around it have been declared a Unesco World Cultural Heritage Site. The palace is interesting in that it is designed to combine a luxurious villa with the defences of a military camp, having towers and fortifications on its landward sides and monumental gates. The palace is built of local white limestone, quarried on the nearby island of Brac.
Archaeological Museum
The oldest Croatian museum is located in Split, dating back to 1820 it is home to a vast range of historical treasures, including relics from the prehistoric era, the Greek colonial times, Roman artefacts, Christian and Medieval historical artefacts. Most of the relics found in excavations of the Roman city of Salona are displayed here. There is also a large collection of antique coins and a large library.
The island of Hvar
Fifteen miles off the coast of Split is the enchantingly historic Island of Hvar, with a regular ferry crossing the nautical miles daily for visitors to explore the Renaissance and Romanesque buildings, which abound the island. The island is noted for its fertile soil and was the site of the world's first parcelling out of arable land by the ancient Greeks, who farmed there. It is now mainly a wine-growing area. The island's main towns are Vrboska and Jelsa, famed for their Dalmatian wines, and it is dotted with picturesque villages.
Marina
Split is home to forty-four marinas, which are world famous with seafarers for high quality. One of the major marinas is ACI Marina Split, in the southwestern section of the city port, north of Sustipan Peninsula. A long breakwater ensures the marina is protected from the southern winds, and it provides moorings for 360 craft, and can accommodate 120 stored on land. Facilities include a bureau de change, restaurant, ablutions, grocery store, repair shop, slipway and other essentials.
Address: The Marina is adjacent to the Marjan Hotel; Telephone: (021) 355 488 (Harbour Master's Office)
Makarska
Makarska is a popular holiday town thirty miles south of Split and home to a labyrinth of cobblestone streets leading to a natural harbour, which is flanked, by the two beautiful green peninsulas of St Peter and Osejava. Standing sentinel over the town is Mount Biokovo. This scenically beautiful spot offers secluded beaches washed by an azure sea, and it lies at the heart of a coastal strip characterised by pine forests and glades of wild flowers. The town was an important trading port during its colourful history, which spans occupation by the Venetians, Turks, French and Austrians, all of whom left a taste of their culture and tradition behind. The town boasts a world-renowned collection of seashells, and a Franciscan monastery dating from the 16th century, a Venetian fountain, several churches and Baroque palaces.
