Private Walking Tour - Split & the Hidden Underground

Discover Split and its hidden underground is an extended historical walking tour through the old town of Split that lasts approximately two hours and allows visitors to explore some of the most impressive preserved parts of Diocletian's Palace in greater depth. The tour begins on the lively waterfront promenade Riva, where guests are introduced to the origins of the city and the story of the Roman emperor Diocletian, who built this monumental palace in the early 4th century as his retirement residence. What was once an imperial complex later evolved into a living medieval city as people gradually settled within the palace walls, creating the unique urban structure that today forms the historic center of Split, recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. From the model of the city on the Riva the tour continues into the impressive underground halls of the palace, where visitors explore the complete system of the supstructures of the palace, or as they are more locally known, Cellars of Diocletian's Palace. These massive Roman substructures perfectly preserve the original layout of the imperial apartments that once stood above them and represent one of the most remarkable surviving architectural features of the palace. After walking through the part of the cellars that is managed by the museum, the tour emerges at the central ceremonial square known as the Peristyle, where visitors can admire the view of the famous bell tower of the Cathedral of Saint Domnius and learn about the rituals that once took place when the emperor appeared before his subjects. The walk then continues through the monumental Vestibule of Diocletian's Palace, the grand entrance to the former imperial apartments. The route then leads through the eastern section of the palace, passing by the Silver Gate while remaining inside the palace walls, before continuing toward the northern entrance known as the Golden Gate and the nearby statue of Gregory of Nin. From there the tour proceeds through the medieval streets of the old town toward People's Square and the charming Fruit Square, one of the most picturesque squares in Split. The tour concludes at the western edge of the historic center below Marmont Street, leaving visitors with a deeper understanding of how an imperial Roman palace gradually transformed into the vibrant Mediterranean city seen today.