Split is the largest and most important city in Dalmatia, the administrative center of Croatia’s Split – Dalmatia Country and is the second largest city in Croatia. It is situated on a small peninsula on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea. Many of Split’s historical and cultural buildings can be found within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace. In addition, numerous museums, the National Theatre, and old churches and other archaeological sites in the Split region make it an important cultural attraction.
The importance of Diocletian’s Palace far transcends local significance because of its level of preservation and the buildings of succeeding historical periods built within its walls, which today form the very heart of old Split. Loggia of Romanesque palace near Peristyle, late 13th century, and remains of one of the temples of Diocletian’s Palace. It is also the jumping-off point for exploration of the coast and islands of the beautiful Croatian Adriatic. The site was first settled when, at the end of the third century AD, the Roman Emperor Diocletian built his palace here.
At the beginning of the XVIth century, a collection of Antique stone epitaphs was stored in the home of the Split nobleman Dmino Papalic (today’s City Museum) and they were described in one of his friend’s, Marko Marulic’s.
In November 1979 UNESCO, in line with the international convention concerning the cultural and natural heritage, adopted a proposal that the historic Split inner city, built around the Palace, should be included in the register of the World Cultural Heritage. There is great cultural activity during summers, when the prestigious Split Music Festival is held, followed by Split Summer theatre festival. The biggest sports events to be held in Split were the Mediterranean Games in 1979 and the European Athletics Championships in 1990.