Bonnie Bee and Yond: Split

After room service breakfast, we were up and out the door early for our excursion.

This ship moored next door dwarfed us.

We went by motorcoach to the medieval town of Trogir.

I saw what seemed to be an unusually high number of car dealerships on our way. This one had an alluring statue in front.

The scenery was beautiful

First view of Trogir. The name comes from Greek for a male goat, tragos, and hill or mountain, oros.

First founded in the 3rd century BC, the old town today is from the medieval centuries. It was named a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1997.

Our guide, Diane, sharing information.

We walked a few steps over a bridge and strolled into the old town.

Like Chioggia, the old town had stone paved narrow walkways.

The Cathedral of St. Lawrence, started in 1213. It is also dedicated to St. John of Trogir who is buried in the church.

The clock tower was built in the 15th century. Next to it you can see columns which were part of a Roman court. The Square was once a forum.

Statue of St. Lawrence

Beyond this gate is an intricately carved entrance to the cathedral. It was created by Radovan, a Croatian sculpture who lived in Trogir in the 13th century.

Adam is on the right side of the door and Eve is on the left.

Some of the old medival buildings have shops in them.

This was a great medieval house.

Old stone paving

Air drying the laundry

We passed out this gate to find a promenade on the waterway on the other side.

The orange roofed building attached to the city walls is a structure used in medieval times. It was used by people who arrived to the city after the gates were closed for the night. They could sleep there, then enter the city the next morning.

Promenade

We walked back to the main square past all the shops.

This sweet shop caught my eye!

Back in the main square

When we had free time, I walked a Ross the street to the marketplace.

The produce was beautiful!

The flowers were beautiful also. The marketplace had vegetables, fruits, olive oil, and all kinds of souvenir shops.

When we left Trogir, we went to an old mill to have refreshments.

Fig trees

Pathway to the mill from the highway

Lots of ducks in the mill pond

Croatian version of a mariachi band

We were served bread, cheese, prosciutto, water, and wine.

After the break we drove into Split. I wondered if all the air conditioners mounted on the wall of this building are fairly recent due to rising temperatures in Europe.

Some old walls

Another marketplace downtown

Diocletian's Palace stands next to the marketplace. This massive complex was a residence for Diocletian, a Roman Emperor, and also hissed his military garrison.

The building on the right is actually the wall to Diocletian's Palace. It has been repurposed and is still in use. The city of Split incorporated the Palace into buildings and while changing it, they also preserved it.

Drawing of the original palace which was built in the 3rd century AD.

We entered through this gate

We entered into the basement or storage areas which have been restored.

The ceilings were very tall and arched

Columns and arches were easily seen

Brick work on top of a colum. The Romans liked to build with brick.

We walked up this staircase into the Peristyle, which is a central square.

This sphinx came from Egypt as did the columns.

This is the only standing room remaining, an entryway into the residence part.

Traditional Dalmatian Klapa singing.

This room was amazingly well preserved.

The Roman guards were a great sight to see. They were posing for pictures. As you can see it was crowded. I'm looking towards the entrance to Diocletian's residence.

This octagonal building was Diocletian's mausoleum built during his life time. His sarcaphogus was never found during excavation. In 653 this building became the Cathedral of St. Dominus.