Roman Split revealed -Palaces, passion and painted churches
A unique walking tour that showcases why Split has the best preserved late Roman period structures anywhere on the planet - with an exclusive on-site visit to a recently excavated 5thC basilica!
Highlights
- In-depth exploration of Diocletian’s
subterranean Palace - Quality time inside the oldest Catholic
Cathedral on the planet and Jupiter’s Temple - See recently excavated 5thC remains
of an early basilica, with mosaics! - Complete with a 1.5 hours walk
through the Palace itself
Every tour is private
and you choose the time!
Yes, we can customize this tour to fit your specific needs – like different time of the day to start, can we add a bike ride, etc. – Just ask!
Book your spot today
Quick and simple booking – Just pick the date and number of travelers, and fill in your info in the next step!
The foundation of the hotel was raised to allow the excavated 5thC basilica's foundation and mosaics to be revealed and preserved
Overview of your tour
Living here in Split we look forward every year to another amazing discovery just under our streets. In the past two years alone, we have found Roman baths under the City Museum, a portion of the Roman aqueduct leading into the city, a 5thC basilica as well as artifacts that are indicative of an odeon and small amphitheatre. Today, we'll see the most recently excavated sites and begin with an in-depth exploration of the subterranean structures of Diocletian's Palace, constructed between 295 and 305AD.
Almost completely intact, the substructure mirrors the palatial above ground imperial residential quarter and contains dozens of rooms. After a stop for coffee or a cool beverage if you wish, we'll continue with a 1.5 hour walk through the Palace itself, with enough time inside the Cathedral to really understand and appreciate its sublime architecture.
Next we will visit the Ad basilicas pictas site—the recently excavated remains of a 5thC basilica, part of the “painted basilicas“ referenced by many scholars over the centuries. Partial remains of an amphitheatre and even an odeon are here too, with some relics dating back to the 1stC!
What's remarkable about this excavation is that it is the ground floor of what is now a hotel right on the main street of Split. Complete with foundations of a baptistry and some wonderful intact mosaics, the site is a true wonder. We'll end our tour back at the Golden Gate of the Palace.
Your tour itinerary
Our full day journey begins in the substructure of Split's Diocletian's Palace. After exploring its cavernous rooms, we will take about 1.5 hours to visit the Mausoleum of the emperor, now transformed into a Cathedral; Jupiter's Temple, flanking the Cathedral on the other side of the majestic Peristyle; the main squares, gates and back alleys of the Palace as well as the Synagogue if you wish—the third oldest in Europe.
As we wind our way through the maze of the Old Town, you will see, feel and understand while despite being founded 1,700 years ago, Split is still such an amazing living city. Then we will walk through a small park behind Ivan Mestrovic's iconic Grgur of Nin stature and to Domovinskog Rata, the main street in Split, to visit the recently excavated site of a 5thC basilica.
Imagine the thrill of discovery when gorgeous mosaics were found during the construction of the hotel!
Tour details
What's included
- All admissions to the Palace Substructures, Cathedral, Jupiters Temple (15e)
- Private Guide
Please note
This is a walking tour.
We advise to wear non-slip comfortable walking shoes as all the streets are cobbled, so they are slippery especially in wet weather. At the site, the ground is uneven and we will have to step over small walls.
Meeting location
Cruise terminal, the Split Tourist office on the Riva next to the Hotel Adriana, your hotel or apartment – please let us know!
Pricing
- 250 eur – up to 6 people
- If your group is larger than 6, please contact us for details
Great guides, Great reviews
Individually, our team has experience working as private guides for some of the most respected names in the travel industry, including Abercrombie & Kent, National Geographic Travel, Tours by Locals, Jon Baines Travel, numerous Virtuoso agencies and world-class cruise lines like Azamara, Windstar, Princess, Regent, Silver Sea and others.