From Roman Sphinxes. . .
Ancient Split
Aspalathos was the name of the ancient
Greek settlement from which modern Split
grew. It later became Spalatum under the Romans but
it remained small until Emperor Diocletian built
his luxurious
palace there around 300 AD. After his death, expelled Roman emperors
made Diocletian's
Palace their home away from home but when Avars and Slavs conquered
Salona (now Solin) in 614 AD its displaced
citizens fled to Diocletian's
palace for shelter and a new town was born. The new population
set about altering the palace to suit their own housing needs which
is what gives Split sightseeing its
special flavour.
From Byzantine to Croatian
Split fell under the control
of the Byzantine emperors from the 9th century, around the time when
great Slavic migrations were increasing the population. More housing
sprang up in Diocletian's Palace and the growing population began
spreading out to the suburbs. Churches were built in and around the
town and new settlements grew around the churches. Meanwhile, a solidly
Croatian national identity emerged and in 1069 AD King Kresimir IV
annexed Split to Croatia. In 1105 it acknowledged the rule of the
Hungarian-Croatian kings while keeping its own autonomy. Trade expanded
in the 12th and 13th centuries bringing much prosperity. Emperor Diocletian's
mausoleum became a cathedral and more local housing was constructed.
The Venetians in Split
By the beginning of the
15th century, the Venetians were extending their rule throughout Dalmatia
and in 1420 Split lost its autonomy and was forced to acknowledge
the protectorate of Venice. The Venetians were preoccupied with the
security of its new possession and expended considerable effort to
fortifying the town. They also built new residences in late Flamboyant
Venetian Gothic style.
In the 15th century Split
became an important cultural centre, producing such artists as Juraj
Dalmatinac who brought Renaissance style to Croatia. The 15th century
was also when many humanists and writers gravitated to Split. The
greatest was Croatia's most significant poet, Marko Marulic,
the first to write eloquently in both Latin and Croatian.
The Ottoman Threat
Like
the rest of Dalmatia, Split was threatened
by the Ottoman Turks in the 16th century. In the middle of the 17th
century when the Turks reached the walls of Split, massive bastions
were constructed, creating a star-shaped perimeter of safety. Within
the walls, local and foreign artisans were busy building in the new
baroque style and the cultural life of the town continued.
Austrians--French--Austrians
After four centuries of Venetian
rule, Split passed to the Austrians from 1797 to 1805, followed by
seven years of French presence. Under Napoleon, many city walls and
fortifications were demolished but a coastal road was built, public
lighting was implemented and other improvements made. The fall of
Napoleon entailed renewed Austrian control of Split and the rest of
Dalmatia, a rule that lasted until 1918.
During the later half
of the 19th century, Split saw an economic revival and by the beginning
of the 20th century it became the region's most important port. Between
WWI and WWII Split expanded outwards to include the southern slopes
of Marjan hill and Bacvice in the east.
Italian bombardments
of Split in 1941 marked the beginning of the Fascist occupation
of Split which lasted until 1943 when Italy capitulated.
. . . to Italian cars
Related Pages
Split Travel Planner
Diocletian's Palace
Croatian History
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