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Published: August 1st 2009
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DAY 107
We awake in our little surprise stop of Makarska with the wind still blowing but the sun is out and we anticipate another beautiful day along the coast of Croatia.
We slept in a little today and get down to breakfast around 9:30. The room is filled with holiday makers and we had to share a table with a couple who did not speak English. The buffet was large and we had a big breakfast. It was not the normal fare for us so it was nice and made the most of it.
We left for the bus station and left for Split around 11:30. We have been told by everyone that Split is the most beautiful place and we had to see it. Well, after seeing Split we agree that it is nice but both Francine and I preferred the little town that by accident, we stayed in last night. However we did enjoy spending the afternoon looking around Split and all its ancient buildings. It is very touristy here as in Dubrovnik. And we are here and we are loving picturing people of an ancient era living amost these walls.
Oh, and did
we forget to mention we had pastries and ice cream for lunch. Surprised we're sure.
Split is one of the oldest cities in the area, and is traditionally considered just over 1,700 years old. However, recent archaeological research relating to the ancient Greek colony of Aspálathos (6th century BC) establishes the city as being several hundred years older.
Split is the largest Croatian city on the Adriatic coast and a major transport hub. The port is huge with ferries, cruise ships and sailing boats everywhere.
The Diocletian Palace is a World Heritage site. It is one of the most imposing Roman ruins in existence. Facing the harbour the palace was built as a strong rectangular fortress, with walls measuring 215m from east to west and 181m wide at the southern most point. It is also reinforced by towers. The imperial residence, temples and mausoleum were south of the main street, connecting het east and west gates. Its main feature include the Peristyle, a picturesque square.
The cathedral was named after Split patron saint, Saint Duje (Saint Dujam, or Saint Domnius) who was a 3rd century Bishop of Salona. Salona was a large Roman city serving as
capital of the Province of Dalmatia. Today it is located near the city of Solin in Croatia. Saint Duje was martyred with seven other Christians in the persecutions of the Emperor Diocletian. He was born in Antioch, in modern-day Syria, and beheaded in 304 at Salona.
The Bell Tower was constructed in the year 1100 AD. It was one of the most beautiful romanesque towers. Extensive rebuilding in 1908 radically changed the Bell Tower, and many of the original romanesque sculptures were removed. One of the best examples of Romanesque sculpture in Croatia, are wooden doors on Cathedral of St. Duje. They were made by Andrija Buvina, medieval Croatian sculptor and painter around 1220. Two wings of Buvina wooden doors contains 14 scenes from the life of Jesus Christ, separated by rich ornaments in wood.
We head back to the bus station collect our luggage and back on the bus at 6pm for our overnight ride to Ljubljana.
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