Most of the towns and villages along Split Riviera were founded by Greeks around 2nd or 3rd century BC and thrived tby trading with the surrounding tribes. The Roman Empire soon became dominant in the Split region when Roman Emperor Diocletian ordered a palace to be built here for his retirement. Completed in 305 AD, just in time for Diocletian to retire and is therefore known as the Diocletian Palace.

Diocletian Palace – Built For Roman Emperor Diocletian
The invasion of the Avars and Slavs in the early 7th century saw the city fall with little resistance. Local inhabitants sought sanctuary behind the Diocletian’s Palace walls. The citizens proceed to build a city within the palace walls which takes a similar form to the shops and markets that are there today.
In 1420 Split was conquered by the Venetian Republic. They ruled over Split, developing it into a significant port city with great trading relationships, until 1797 where Split fell to the Habsburg Monarchy.
Split was devastated during the World Wars with hundreds of casualties and many citizens lost as a result. Post WW II, Split experienced substantial growth due to large government investment which saw factories built for a range of industries. Split developed a large ship-building industry that saw Yugoslavia become one of the world’s top countries in the field. Alongside this Split also became an important worldwide port.
Now, Split is part of the independent Croatia and one of the most successful tourist locations on the Adriatic Coast, attracting millions of visitors each year. With such a rich and cultured area, you will never be at a loss of things to do.