11 April 2023 - Kastela and Split

The day started with 2 expeditions, Chris went for a run while I walked into Milna to the bakery for croissants (they were delicious).  We made our preparations to leave and motor-sailed our way back to Kastela.  We knew that there would be little or no wind all day and we wanted to have time for some site seeing in Split.

We see walls depicting the support of Split's football team everywhere (not just in Split).  Invariably beautifully kept. 

One worry on the way across was that Chris received a message saying that his flight home tomorrow had been cancelled.  A couple of phone calls to the airline and travel company did the trick, and it was not too long before he had details of their rerouting of his journey home. He now leaves at about the same time but goes via Zagreb rather than Amsterdam.  A great relief all round.

The bus stop was conveniently placed not far from the marina entrance, and we only had a short wait before one came. The outskirts of Split were pretty industrial, but the centre carries much more history.

The World Heritage Site here is Diocletian's Palace. This Roman Emperor founded the city in 293 AD, and over a 10 year period, built a lavish palace and military settlement from which he ruled Rome, and then for his subsequent retirement. He chose this spot as he was originally from the Roman provice of Dalmatia, and wanted to return home. It was unusual for a man from the provinces to become Emperor, but he climbed his way through the ranks of the army, and was declared Emperor by his troops after the death of Emperor Carus and his son Numerian.  The title was also claimed by Carus' other son Carinus, but Diocletian defeated him at the battle Margus. Diocletian was notable as the first Roman Emperor to voluntarily abdicate, when his health started fail. 






Some signs of the Austro / Hungarian influence

The  palace is well preserved and the heart of a buzzing tourist centre. We spent a very interesting couple of hours wandering around before finding a lovely family run restaurant to eat in, and then catching the bus back to Kastela.

Miles today         13

Miles in 2023    115

Steve (& Tricia and Chris)

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