The Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Croatia is often considered to be one of the most imposing of all ruins of the Roman times. It is not only the city of Split’s main attraction, but also one of the most popular. The ruins of the Diocletian’s Palace (video) are among the most valuable of the surviving structures from Roman times along the Adriatic Coast.

  • Who built Diocletian’s Palace?
  • Why did Diocletian build his palace?
    • After voluntarily abdicating his throne as the leader of the Roman Empire and retiring, Diocletian moved to his palace on the coast in Rome’s Illyrian province on May 1st, 305.
  • Where is the Illyrian province today?
    • The Illyrian province is now part of the country of Croatia.
  • What does the Diocletian’s Palace complex include?
    • The “palace” is an enormous structure that consists of not just the palace itself but also other buildings used to house the military garrison.
  • How large is Diocletian’s Palace?
    • The entire complex spans an impressive thirty thousand square meters.
  • Where are the ruins of Diocletian’s Palace located today?
    • These ruins are located in the heart of Split, Croatia.
  • How many people live in Diocletian’s Palace today?
    • Approximately three thousand people live on the territory of the palace.
  • What is Diocletian’s Palace used for today?
    • The ruins of this ancient fortress have essentially become the city of Split’s Old Town. It features several restaurants, cafes, shops, and even apartments located within the old buildings of the palace’s narrow streets.
  • How did Diocletian originally enter his palace?
    • Emperor Diocletian desired to enter the palace by ship without leaving the deck. The lower tier of the palace was once covered by water, allowing his ship to pass by the columns and arrive at the lower vaulted rooms.
  • How did the palace change over time?
    • Eventually, the sea receded, and the city of Split emerged surrounding the palace.
  • What remains of Diocletian’s Palace today?
    • Unfortunately, there isn’t much left from Diocletian’s time. Only the remains of gates and walls of the palace remain.
  • What materials were used to build Diocletian’s Palace?
    • Diocletian’s Palace was constructed from white marble and local limestone.
  • What shape is Diocletian’s Palace?
    • The structure is somewhat of an irregular rectangle in form, featuring several towers on the eastern, northern, and western facades.
  • Why are there no towers on the southern facade?
    • There are no towers on the southern facade because it originally rose from the sea’s waters.
  • What type of architecture is Diocletian’s Palace?
    • The design of Diocletian’s Palace is a combination of castrum and villa architecture.
  • What happens at Diocletian’s Palace today?
    • Visitors and locals alike can often hear music coming from the palace during the daytime.
  • What makes Diocletian’s Palace special at night?
    • The palace is especially attractive during the evenings. When night begins to fall, the granite and marble columns are often illuminated with colorful garlands.
  • What performances can be seen at Diocletian’s Palace?
    • The interior of the palace becomes a stunning scene at night, and actors can sometimes be seen performing with solemn voices that echo under the ancient fortress’ arches.

Dioklecijanova ul. 1, 21000, Split, Croatia, Phone: 385-98-25-16-10, Map

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