Many port towns in the Mediterranean begin as fishing villages and evolve into something much more. It is a tale as old as time. However, that is not the backstory of Split, Croatia. Split originated as the retirement home of a Roman emperor, a lofty beginning that still resonates today. Diocletian chose to settle here in the 4th century, and the “old town” neighborhood is replete with history and charm, shopping and local flavor, cathedrals, the Temple of Jupiter, and museums that provide context. Nature’s wonders, such as Krka National Park with its natural limestone landscaping and remarkable waterfalls, make the history seem surprisingly young.
