The best things to see and do in Split

Split was founded in the 4th century BC by Greek colonists, and later became the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia. After the decline of the Roman Empire, the city fell under the influence of the Republic of Venice, but remained a free city throughout the Middle Ages as Hungary and Venice struggled for control of Dalmatia. This remarkable history is evident throughout the city, from the ancient Roman walls of Diocletian’s Palace to the 18th-century Baroque wonders of Prokurative, making it a great destination for culture lovers.

The cultural diversity of Split is such that the city’s highlights can be hard to cover off in a single visit. Here, we offer facts and information to help you get to grips with this amazing destination

• The population is around 178,000 people (World Population Review 2018)
• Split is the largest city on the Dalmatian coast, with Dubrovnik being the second largest.
• Much of Split’s city centre is designated a World Heritage Site, particularly the Old Town with its famous Diocletian’s Palace.
• The city is home to the world’s oldest cathedral, Saint Domnius, built in the 7^th century AD.
• Split’s ancient Egyptian sphinxes have caused much fascination over the years, and it’s still not known how these 3,600-year-old statues came to adorn the walls of Diocletian’s Palace.
• Split is home to one of the world’s oldest Jewish communities, and is home to the third oldest synagogue in Europe.
• The city enjoys over 2,800 hours of sunlight per year – 1,400 more than the UK.
• The national currency of Croatia is the kuna, with one kuna being worth around 12p.
• The Port of Split is the busiest of Dalmatia, and offers regular ferries to the islands of Brač, Korčula, Hvar and Vis.