The Peristyle of Diocletian's Palace
The Peristyle of Diocletian's Palace
The Peristyle of Diocletian's Palace
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- Aidan R32 contributionsTimeless Marvel in the Heart of Split!Visiting The Peristyle of Diocletian’s Palace in Split was like stepping back in time to a world of grandeur and history. These ancient ruins are a true masterpiece, and their preservation is a testament to the city's rich heritage. Walking through the Peristyle, surrounded by beautifully carved columns and the imposing presence of Diocletian's Palace, was a surreal experience that left me in awe. The historical significance and architectural beauty of this site are simply unparalleled. It's a must-visit for anyone in Split, and I couldn't help but give it a five-star rating. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply seeking a glimpse into the past, the Peristyle will transport you to a different era, leaving you with memories to cherish.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 7, 2023
- Jo RWirral, United Kingdom269 contributionsAmazing place steeped in historyA great look back into the past and the history of the palace is really interesting . Now the walls and alleyways are all restaurants , shop , hotels & stalls so a mixture of new and old , a great place to wander round and go from square to square to take in all the atmosphere and great bars and restaurants. Of a night it's nice to sit on the steps of the palace in Peristil square and have a drink which are served from Lvxor cafe & restaurant with live music and dancing . RecommendedVisited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 26, 2023
- Chris BKnoxville, Tennessee124 contributionsLiving HistoryDo not miss this amazing piece of living history! As someone who is from the United States, I would never have guessed that a whole contemporary town would exist inside the ruins of a Roman Emperor’s palace. Heck, it’s cheaper to live in a literal Roman Emperor’s palace than it is to buy a house in the town where I live :( - Anyway, if you’re going to Split, you’ll likely find yourself inside the palace whether you realize it or not! Don’t miss the opportunity to go down into the massive basement which also serves as a museum.Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten May 31, 2024
- TravelBrianCOPearland, Texas932 contributionsThis is the reason I came to split!Yes, there are amazing islands to visit, blue water to swim in, and other attractions in Split. But no where has this old and preserved of a Roman palace. Between seeing the walls, underground, and artifacts you can get a real sense of the time of this emperor. Well worth it. Take a tour.Visited July 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 13, 2024
- christian mBrooklyn, New York722 contributionsDiocletian's PalaceThere is no ticket or admittance to this event. It is part of the vibrant alive Split. Twenty five hundred year old sphynx's dot the tour. Ancient tile work, columns, local Croations dressed up as Roman Legions and Ceasars. We got a private tour that helped makesense of it all. History is alive. Well worth the day ferry in from Hvar.Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 17, 2024
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Alex K
Brooklyn, NY131 contributions
Jun 2021
Diocletian's palace is the center of Split and a must visit for any tourist passing by or staying in this magnificent city. The palace began construction and expansion in the fourth century, but the ruins are so intact that with a little imagination you can image life here in the old days by walking through the streets of the palace and its surrounding areas. The modern cafes and restaurants are incorporated into the ancient walls which is a cool concept on its own. Don’t forget to check out the ancient Sphinx which was already 2000 years old when the Romans brought it here.
Written June 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
starlightShanghai
Victoria, Canada4,608 contributions
Dec 2021
It’s probably impossible to gain any real appreciation of this lovely colonnaded courtyard during high season. Many common images of the Peristyle show it absolutely clogged with tourists. The situation must be even worse on days when cruise ships arrive. (Always a good idea to check the cruise arrivals schedule in any port city.)
Fortunately, I’m here in low season, and there are very few people about at all.
This area was once the northern entrance to the imperial apartments of Emperor Diocletian. Today, the locals just scurry by on their way to market or on their way to work. Many just take a shortcut down through the cellars to the Riva. For some reason, this scene strikes me as a bit of a dichotomy.
From the Peristyle, it’s only a few steps to St. Domnius Cathedral and the crypt; the Vestibule; the Treasury; the Temple of Jupiter, the Cellars of Diocletian; and the Ethnographic Museum.
To other city locations, the Peristyle is the perfect point of reference on any map.
Fortunately, I’m here in low season, and there are very few people about at all.
This area was once the northern entrance to the imperial apartments of Emperor Diocletian. Today, the locals just scurry by on their way to market or on their way to work. Many just take a shortcut down through the cellars to the Riva. For some reason, this scene strikes me as a bit of a dichotomy.
From the Peristyle, it’s only a few steps to St. Domnius Cathedral and the crypt; the Vestibule; the Treasury; the Temple of Jupiter, the Cellars of Diocletian; and the Ethnographic Museum.
To other city locations, the Peristyle is the perfect point of reference on any map.
Written December 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1girl_1passport
Vancouver, Canada1,287 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
Stunning, beautiful design and architecture. This is a must see while your in the city.
Diocletian Palace is one of the best preserved monuments of the Roman architecture in the world.
The Emperor's Palace was built as a combination of a luxury villa - summer house and a Roman military camp (castrum), divided into four parts with two main streets.
Southern part of the Palace was, in this scheme, intended for the Emperor's apartment and appropriate governmental and religious ceremonies, while the north part was for the Imperial guard - the military, servants, storage etc.
The Palace is a rectangular building (approximately 215 x 180 meters) with four large towers at the corners, doors on each of the four sides and four small towers on the walls. The lower part of the walls has no openings, while the upper floor is open with a monumental porch on the south and halls with grand arch windows on the other three sides.
Over the centuries the Palace inhabitants, and later also the citizens of Split adapted parts of the palace for their own requirements, thus the inside buildings as well as the exterior walls with the towers significantly changed the original appearance, but the outlines of the Imperial Palace are still very visible.
Diocletian Palace is one of the best preserved monuments of the Roman architecture in the world.
The Emperor's Palace was built as a combination of a luxury villa - summer house and a Roman military camp (castrum), divided into four parts with two main streets.
Southern part of the Palace was, in this scheme, intended for the Emperor's apartment and appropriate governmental and religious ceremonies, while the north part was for the Imperial guard - the military, servants, storage etc.
The Palace is a rectangular building (approximately 215 x 180 meters) with four large towers at the corners, doors on each of the four sides and four small towers on the walls. The lower part of the walls has no openings, while the upper floor is open with a monumental porch on the south and halls with grand arch windows on the other three sides.
Over the centuries the Palace inhabitants, and later also the citizens of Split adapted parts of the palace for their own requirements, thus the inside buildings as well as the exterior walls with the towers significantly changed the original appearance, but the outlines of the Imperial Palace are still very visible.
Written April 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura T
Middlesbrough, UK7,667 contributions
May 2023 • Family
The Emperor’s Peristil is located at the crossroad of the two main roads of the palace. This is one of the most photographed locations in Split, and the small courtyard here is usually packed with groups of tourists. We almost missed the peristil on our first visit as it was so very crowded, but find the church and you are here.
A peristyle or peristil is a long continuous porch which is formed by a row of columns surrounding a courtyard. Walk around, take some pictures and visit the nearby monuments, including the black granite sphinx which is one of the 12 sphinxes that Diocletian brought with him from Egypt.
The Cathedral of Saint Domnius is located at the same small square and the Vestibule is up a couple of stairs (all reviewed separately). There are all within a few seconds walk of each other. An entrance to the substructures of Diocletian’s Palace is here too and the ticket office where you can buy tickets to the church etc. The Triclinium is maybe a 1 minute walk, more depending on how bad the crowds are!
We didn't spend long here as once I'd taken a few photos we opted to find somewhere quieter away from the crowds. However it is free to visit and part of a Unesco heritage site so can't really give less than 5*.
You only really need half a day to explore and see all the sights of Diocletian’s Palace and Old Town, but we would recommend to return again on an evening to see the streets lit up and for a completely different experience (although sadly often just as crowded!)
A peristyle or peristil is a long continuous porch which is formed by a row of columns surrounding a courtyard. Walk around, take some pictures and visit the nearby monuments, including the black granite sphinx which is one of the 12 sphinxes that Diocletian brought with him from Egypt.
The Cathedral of Saint Domnius is located at the same small square and the Vestibule is up a couple of stairs (all reviewed separately). There are all within a few seconds walk of each other. An entrance to the substructures of Diocletian’s Palace is here too and the ticket office where you can buy tickets to the church etc. The Triclinium is maybe a 1 minute walk, more depending on how bad the crowds are!
We didn't spend long here as once I'd taken a few photos we opted to find somewhere quieter away from the crowds. However it is free to visit and part of a Unesco heritage site so can't really give less than 5*.
You only really need half a day to explore and see all the sights of Diocletian’s Palace and Old Town, but we would recommend to return again on an evening to see the streets lit up and for a completely different experience (although sadly often just as crowded!)
Written July 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
db7477
Carlsbad, CA3,456 contributions
May 2022 • Family
It’s a toss up whether Split’s epicenter is the Peristyle or the Riva but both are not to be missed. The Peristyle comes to life at night with live music. It’s an excellent spot to mingle, people watch, have a drink or enjoy gelato.
The Peristyle is centrally located within the palace/city wall complex and is perhaps 200 meters from either the Riva or the Golden Gate.
The Peristyle is centrally located within the palace/city wall complex and is perhaps 200 meters from either the Riva or the Golden Gate.
Written June 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RealityCheck2013
Bristol, UK889 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Visited here for the first time and a ticket is 70 kuna for entry to five areas,
The palace is interesting from the outside and the cathedral is also with pictures .
You can go up the cathedral tower but we did not do that.
We went around the place in about an hour as we did not read everything
One of those places you need to see because of its history
The palace is interesting from the outside and the cathedral is also with pictures .
You can go up the cathedral tower but we did not do that.
We went around the place in about an hour as we did not read everything
One of those places you need to see because of its history
Written June 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JSTrip_77
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina1,233 contributions
Jan 2023
Yes, as other reviewers have said, Diocletian's Palace is the key attraction in Split. However, while the various museums and attractions around this square require kind of pricey admission tickets, this place can be visited and enjoyed for free. There was something about this spot which marked the place where the emperor's royal area ended and the "normal" city began seemed so well preserved. It was so easy to tune out the rest of the world and the other tourists and just image what it must have been like centuries ago. The cathedral towers to one side and the most amazing ruins are right ahead. I did not elect to have a coffee in the coffee shop that sort of ruins the ambiance a bit but I did spend a bit of time here both day and night when it is lit up stunningly!
Written February 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris B
Knoxville, TN124 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
Do not miss this amazing piece of living history! As someone who is from the United States, I would never have guessed that a whole contemporary town would exist inside the ruins of a Roman Emperor’s palace. Heck, it’s cheaper to live in a literal Roman Emperor’s palace than it is to buy a house in the town where I live :( - Anyway, if you’re going to Split, you’ll likely find yourself inside the palace whether you realize it or not! Don’t miss the opportunity to go down into the massive basement which also serves as a museum.
Written May 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aidan R
32 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Visiting The Peristyle of Diocletian’s Palace in Split was like stepping back in time to a world of grandeur and history. These ancient ruins are a true masterpiece, and their preservation is a testament to the city's rich heritage. Walking through the Peristyle, surrounded by beautifully carved columns and the imposing presence of Diocletian's Palace, was a surreal experience that left me in awe. The historical significance and architectural beauty of this site are simply unparalleled. It's a must-visit for anyone in Split, and I couldn't help but give it a five-star rating. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply seeking a glimpse into the past, the Peristyle will transport you to a different era, leaving you with memories to cherish.
Written October 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John L
San Jose, California259 contributions
Nov 2022
Our tour group had a private tour of the whole Diocletian's Palace and Basement. It was very interesting to see how the Roman emperor lived. We even had a chance to listen to local Klapa, the traditional singing in the courtyard.
Written January 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What time of day is good to go to the Palace to AVOID the cruise ship tourists? I'll be visiting on July 4th...
Written July 2, 2016
It is very late to answer... But around 9 in the morning is about the best time to do so.
Written August 15, 2016
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