Oosterdam European Adventure, Split, Croatia

I started the day out with sail in photos of our arrival into Split for our first visit. Our guide Nikola picked us up at the port and off we headed to Trogir.  Trogir is a town on the central Adriatic coast of Croatia about 30 minutes from Split. Its preserved old town, known for its mix of Renaissance, Baroque and Romanesque buildings. Another UNESCO site, Trogir is known as the best-preserved ensemble of Romanesque and gothic architecture in Europe. The location is part of the charm, as the city is a small, fortified island connected to the mainland by a bridge. There are 10 historic churches in the old center, including the exquisite 13th-century cathedral. Trogir was a medieval treat and a lovely getaway from the much larger and more chaotic Split. We left Trogir and drove to Solin formerly known as Salona. Salona was once the Roman Empire’s foremost city in the Balkans. 60,000 people lived in Salona at the city’s peak and it was abandoned in the 600s. The archaeological park is enlightening with preservation of significant pieces of the structures like the Basilica and the Benedictine Monastery. We did not visit the Amphitheatre, which once had a capacity for 18,000 spectators. Our last stop was Split for a walking tour of the Old Town. Split, the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest in the Dalmatia region. Home to the illustrious Diocletian’s Palace, a World Heritage Site and the city’s most prominent attraction. The former Greek colony was established during the 3rd or 2nd century BC. We started our tour by visiting the palace underground cellars with vaulted subterranean rooms showing the true extent of the ancient site. Leaving the underground we visited the palace. This palace is intertwined with Split’s Old Town, making it uniquely charming as the palace’s arches, columns, and walls are easily seen amongst the alleyways, shops and restaurants. We visited the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world. Split’s Basilica was originally built as a mausoleum for Diocletian but was later converted into a cathedral…the interior was beautiful. We walked to the Golden Gate and then started our way back to the ship via the waterfront promenade. Truly, we enjoyed our day in the Split area, and we were extremely impressed with all of what Croatia has to offer!