Inside "Diocletian's Palace", Split, Croatia

This photo was taken on 31 August 2016.  As it comprises two images, merged today (using HDR) to bring out detail in a location with VERY high contrast, the resultant image has acquired a new date.  This will enable me to post another Split blipfoto on the correct date. 

This is a walled Roman town in Illyria, completed in 305AD to provide a residence for the retiring Emperor, Diocletian, who was himself of Illyrian origin.  

The new town was adjacent to the sea, and the imperial apartments, with enclosed squares and also their long veranda which looked out across the sea. The rest of the town provided a military garrison.  No doubt the town was constructed to protect trade routes.  It could contain up to 9,000 people.

Many alterations were made to the town over the centuries, new private houses being built on top of the Roman structures.  But much of the original town remains intact.

This photo is of the peristyle, the main square in the town.  The palace buildings are (almost invisible) to the right, and central to the photo is Diocletian's mausoleum, built within his own lifetime.  This building was later converted to the cathedral of the martyred St Domnius, a convenient* local victim of Diocletian's hatred for Christians.  (*Convenient because of the availability of his relics, which would attract financial backing.)

If you want to breathe in the atmosphere of an authentic, living Roman town, this is the place.  

We supped outdoors at Diocletian's Wine House, in one of the narrow paved streets.  Well, if it was good enough for him.....