Diocletian's Palace

The Roman Emperor Diocletian commissioned the palace as his retirement home. Construction began around AD 295 and was largely completed by AD 305, the exact year he voluntarily abdicated the throne. It was designed to be a massive fortress-like complex to protect the emperor in his final years.

Diocletian's Palace is located in the city of Split, on the Dalmatian coast of modern-day Croatia. Diocletian was born in the nearby Roman province of Dalmatia, which is why he chose this specific coastal site for his retirement. The palace forms the very historic heart of the city of Split today.

Unlike an isolated ruin, Diocletian's Palace is a living monument that forms the entire historic downtown core of Split. Thousands of locals live, shop, and dine within the ancient Roman walls. Visitors can freely walk through the ancient peristyle, the subterranean basement halls, and the former emperor's mausoleum, which is now the Split Cathedral.

The palace was originally constructed as a massive rectangular military fortress, measuring roughly 180 by 200 meters. It featured four monumental gates at the cardinal compass points, connected by two main cross streets. The southern half housed the emperor's private apartments and temples, while the northern half was used for military garrisons and servants.