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Split (/ ˈ s p l ɪ t /; Croatian pronunciation: ⓘ), historically known as Spalato (from Venetian: Spàlato, Italian: Spalato pronounced; see other names), is the second-largest city of Croatia after the capital Zagreb, the largest city in Dalmatia and the largest city on the Croatian coast.
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Spalatum is the traditional name for the location of DIOCLETIAN’s palace, which was transformed into a city in the early Byzantine time and still constitutes the urban core of Split on the coast of central DALMATIA in Croatia. Excavations and restorations of the palace have been carried out since 1947. The name Spalatum probably derives from
Feb 25, 2023 · Split. It is believed the city draws its name from a common shrub (Calicotome spinosa) in the area, after which the Greek colony of Aspálathos or Spálathos was named. As the city became a Roman...
Much before Diocletian retired in a bay which is today's Split, an ancient Greek settlement stood here, and there are evidences of toponym Aspalathos, or Spalatos. If Greeks built their settlement way before the Palace, why they called it that way?
- The Name Game. Split is just the city’s modern name. The Romans named it Spalatum, which changed to Spalatro during the Middle Ages. The Italians called it Spalato.
- Changing Hands. Back in 812, Split was a major Byzantine city. In 998, Venice invaded, followed by Croatia in 1069. Then Hungary-Croatia took over the city.
- Woof? We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that the Dalmatian breed of dogs genetic ancestry can be traced back to the region of Dalmatia! The ancestors of the 101 Dalmatians might have once called Split home!
- When A Palace Should Get Its Own ZIP Code. The imperial-city Palace of Diocletian was built in the 4th century and occupies miles and miles of land.
The name Spalatum probably derives from Latin palatium or Greek palation, denoting an imperial residence. In the fourth to fifth century sources it features as Spalato (Tabula Peutingeriana V, B1) or Aspalato (Notitia Dignitatum Occ. XI).
Diocletian had ordered the construction of the heavily fortified compound near his hometown of Spalatum in preparation for his retirement on 1 May 305 AD. The site chosen was near Salona, the provincial administrative centre of Dalmatia, on the southern side of a short peninsula.
