The historical core of the city of Split, comprising Diocletian’s Palace and a part of the city within the Venetian defensive walls from the 17th century, have been on the UNESCO world heritage list since 1979. The archaeological remains of Roman villas, the aqueduct and the necropolis testify to the existence of a settlement before Diocletian’s Palace.
Early Middle Ages: city spreads beyond the Palace walls
In the early Middle Ages, all the main parts of Diocletian’s palace assumed the function of the new city. Walls and gates became part of the city’s defense system: the western gate of the Palace became the main entrance to the city, Diocletian’s mausoleum was transformed into a cathedral, Jupiter’s temple became the baptistery. Parts of the Palace, especially its corridors, were turned into small pre-Romanesque churches (St. Martin and St. Theodore). In the early Middle Ages, the city spread beyond the Palace walls. In Veli Varoš stands the oldest pre-Romanesque church of St. Mikula of cruciform shape and Byzantine influence. Poljud is the site of a hexafoil Church of the Holy Trinity, the best-preserved octagonal building in Dalmatia (8th-11th century).
The Romanesque and Gothic periods: palaces for the nobility built
The Romanesque period is presented in a number of smaller residential buildings and several palaces. The sculptures on the bell tower, the pulpit inside the cathedral, the wooden doorposts by master Buvina and the choir seats were made in this style. The Gothic reached its peak after the Venetian conquest of the city in 1420, when noble palaces with inner courtyards were built. The 16th century saw the appearance of the first houses and palaces in the Renaissance style. A new system of polygonal fortifications around the city, and new palaces with baroque facades within it, was built in the 17th century.
Recent times: French and Austrian rule, works of Ivan Meštrović
The short period of French rule at the beginning of the 19th century brought large-scale communal works. The city continued to expand during the period of Austrian administration. After World War I, the city increasingly expanded beyond the old core. Split was then the second residence of Ivan Meštrović, who, according to his own idea, had his palace built in Meje. This present-day Meštrović Gallery is in the immediate vicinity of the Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments.
