Split

Split
Name	Split
Coordinates	43, 30, N, 16...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Croatia
Subdivision type1	County
Subdivision name1	Split-Dalmatia County
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Ivica Puljak
Area total km2	79.38
Population total	160577
Population as of	2021
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	CET
Utc offset	+1
Timezone DST	CEST
Utc offset DST	+2
Postal code type	Postal code
Postal code	21000
Area code	021
Website	www.split.hr

Split is a major city on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea in Croatia, situated on the Split Peninsula and centered around the ancient Diocletian's Palace. As the largest city in the Dalmatia region and the administrative seat of Split-Dalmatia County, it serves as a vital economic, cultural, and transport hub for the central Croatian coast. The city's unique urban core, which grew from within the walls of a Roman emperor's retirement palace, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and blends millennia of history with a vibrant contemporary life.

History

The city's origins are intrinsically linked to the construction of Diocletian's Palace, a massive fortified complex built for the Roman Emperor Diocletian at the turn of the fourth century AD. Following the abandonment of the nearby colony of Salona, the palace's inhabitants were joined by refugees, and the structure gradually evolved into a medieval town, with its halls and temples repurposed into homes and churches. Throughout the early Middle Ages, the city acknowledged the sovereignty of the Byzantine Empire before coming under the control of the Kingdom of Croatia in the tenth century, later experiencing periods of rule by the Kingdom of Hungary, the Republic of Venice, and the Habsburg monarchy. The 20th century saw Split become part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, endure occupation by Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany during World War II, and subsequently develop as a key industrial and naval center within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia before becoming part of the modern independent Croatia.

Geography

The city is located on a peninsula between the Kaštela Bay and the Split Channel, with the coastal mountain range of Mosor rising to the north and the Kozjak mountain to the west. Its natural harbor is protected by the island of Čiovo and the Marjan hill, a large forested park that forms a prominent recreational area. The climate is classified as a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, characterized by dry, warm summers and mild, wet winters, which supports a typical Mediterranean flora.

Demographics

According to the 2021 census, the city proper has a population of approximately 160,000, while its broader metropolitan area is home to nearly 350,000 residents, making it the second-largest urban center in Croatia after Zagreb. The overwhelming majority of the population are ethnic Croats, with small communities of Serbs, Bosniaks, and Albanians. Historically, the city had significant Italian and Jewish communities, whose presence has diminished over time. The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism, and the city is the seat of the Archdiocese of Split-Makarska.

Economy

Traditionally reliant on shipbuilding, shipping, and manufacturing at facilities like the Brodosplit shipyard, the city's economy has undergone a significant shift towards tourism and services in recent decades. The port of Split is a critical node for passenger ferries connecting the Croatian mainland with numerous islands in the Adriatic Sea, including Brač, Hvar, and Vis, and is a major stop for cruise ships. Other important sectors include trade, transport, and information technology, with the city hosting the regional offices of many national companies and institutions.

Culture

The city is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, most visibly embodied in the labyrinthine streets of Diocletian's Palace, which houses landmarks like the Cathedral of Saint Domnius and the Peristyle of Diocletian's Palace. It is the birthplace of the Romanesque Grgur Ninski statue by Ivan Meštrović, whose gallery is located on the slopes of Marjan. The annual Split Summer Festival features open-air theatrical and musical performances, while the Ultra Europe music festival attracts international visitors. The city's football club, Hajduk Split, commands passionate local support, and the local cuisine emphasizes fresh seafood, Pršut (Dalmatian prosciutto), and regional wines.

Administration

The city is governed by a mayor and a city council, with the current mayor being Ivica Puljak. It is the administrative center of Split-Dalmatia County, which is overseen by a county prefect. The city's territory is divided into local committees, and it forms the core of the broader Split urban area. Key administrative and judicial bodies, including the County Court in Split and various regional government directorates, are headquartered in the city.

Category:Split Category:Cities and towns in Croatia Category:Port cities and towns of the Adriatic Sea Category:Populated coastal places in Croatia