Split, one of the oldest cities in Croatia, is located between Zadar and Dubrovnik. The city has a rich history, and its many preserved landmarks reserved the city a spot as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city, along with its 2700 sunny hours a year, is very attractive for tourists. You will often hear the people of Split saying that their city is the most beautiful city in the world, which they often say about their women, as well. Many tourists agree with this assessment. Today, the city is developing thanks to tourism and merchant piers, as the city is a tourism, wine industry and food industry center.
Split has had many names during its history. The current name originates from the spartium plant. Many historians claim that the city was built in the 4th century, when Diocletian’s Palace was constructed, while archeological evidence suggests that the area might have been inhabited much before Diocletian, during Greek colonial efforts. Diocletian (284 – 305), a Roman Emperor, was a great reformer of Tome, and considered himself to be a god. He introduced a government system called a tetrarchy, which includes four emperors ruling at the same time. The palace constructed in Split was used, in a way, as Diocletian’s retirement home.
