A Complete Guide to Diocletian's Palace in Split

Diocletian's Palace: The Complete Visitor's Guide

Imagine a Roman palace so well preserved that 3,000 people still live inside it. That's not a hypothetical — it's Diocletian's Palace in Split, Croatia, and it's been continuously inhabited for over 1,700 years.

This isn't your typical museum behind a rope. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where ancient Roman walls support modern apartments, where a 4th-century temple serves as a baptistery, and where the emperor's mausoleum became a Christian cathedral.

A Brief History

Built: 295–305 AD Commissioned by: Emperor Diocletian, who retired here after becoming the first Roman emperor to voluntarily abdicate Purpose: A retirement palace combining luxury villa, military fortress, and small town Size: 215 × 180 meters (nearly 39,000 square meters) — roughly the size of 7 football fields

Diocletian was born nearby in Salona (modern-day Solin) and rose from humble origins to become one of Rome's most powerful emperors. When he retired in 305 AD, he chose to spend his remaining years in this palace, famously saying he preferred growing cabbages in his garden to ruling the empire.

After the fall of Salona in the 7th century, residents fled into the palace walls for protection. They built homes inside the palace, on top of it, and around it — and never left. The medieval city of Split literally grew out of Diocletian's retirement home.

What to See

The Basement Halls (Cellars)

The underground levels are the palace's best-preserved section. These vaulted halls mirror the layout of the imperial apartments above (which were modified beyond recognition over centuries). Walking through them gives you the most authentic sense of the palace's original Roman grandeur.

Hours: Open daily, usually 8:30–21:00 in summer, 9:00–17:00 in winter Entry: Small fee (around €6), but included free on our walking tours!

The Peristyle

The monumental central square of the palace, flanked by granite columns and arched galleries. This was the ceremonial core where the emperor would appear on the prothyron (a raised portico) to receive visitors.

Today, the Peristyle hosts open-air concerts, opera performances, and serves as the social heart of Split. The steps are always populated with locals and visitors soaking in the atmosphere.

Cathedral of St. Domnius

The world's oldest cathedral building still in its original structure, built inside Diocletian's octagonal mausoleum. The 57-meter bell tower was added in the 12th–16th centuries and offers the best panoramic views of Split.

Bell tower tip: The climb is steep and narrow — not for those with vertigo. But the view is worth every step.

Jupiter's Temple

A remarkably preserved Roman temple, originally dedicated to the king of the gods. The sphinx guarding the entrance was brought from Egypt by Diocletian himself. Inside, the 11th-century baptismal font features one of the earliest depictions of a Croatian king.

The Four Gates

• Golden Gate (Porta Aurea) — North, the most magnificent. Led to Salona.
• Silver Gate (Porta Argentea) — East, leads to the Pazar market.
• Iron Gate (Porta Ferrea) — West, leads to People's Square.
• Bronze Gate (Porta Aenea) — South, the sea gate leading to the Riva.

Visiting Tips from Local Guides

• Best time to visit: Early morning (before 9 AM) or evening (after 6 PM) to avoid cruise ship crowds
• Duration: Allow at least 2 hours for a thorough exploration
• Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes with grip — cobblestones everywhere
• Photography: Best light is golden hour (early morning or late afternoon)
• Free entry: The palace itself is open-air and free to walk through. Only specific sites (cellars, cathedral, bell tower) charge entry
• Getting there: The palace IS the Old Town — if you're in Split, you're practically there

Why a Guided Tour Makes All the Difference

You can walk through Diocletian's Palace on your own and admire the architecture. But without a guide, you'll miss the stories: why there's a sphinx from Egypt, how the medieval residents repurposed Roman temples, what the carved faces on the columns mean, and why Diocletian chose retirement over absolute power.

Our free walking tours bring every stone to life with 1,700 years of stories. Join us at the Golden Gate — it's the best 1.5 hours you'll spend in Split.