HISTORY

Though archaeological remains confirm that the wider Split area had been inhabited in the pre-Roman period, the history of Split is linked with Emperor Diocletian and the construction of the palace which now forms the heart of the old town (being the largest and best-preserved Late Roman palace in the world). The works on the palace lasted from AD 295 to AD 305, when Emperor Diocletian moved to the palace, retiring from his office.
In AD 621, following the invasion of Avars and Slavs, the palace was inhabited by the citizens of ancient Salona (contemporary town of Solin).
The 7th century witnesses the spreading of the city outside of palace walls.
The Byzantine Empire controlled the area from 812 to 1069, and in 1105 it fell under authority of Croatia, then part of a union with the Kingdom of Hungary.
Since 1207 the citizens of Split enjoyed a large measure of authority, electing their representatives from the ranks of noblemen.
In 1420 the Venetians conquered Split, which led to slow decline.
In the 16th century the town was threatened by the Turks, and following the downfall of the Venetian Republic in 1797, the province of Dalmatia falls under Austrian power, only to be handed over to France.
In the period between 1813 and 1918 the Austrians regained power over the town. The Croatian governance over the town was constituted in 1882. The second half of the 19th century represents the time of economic growth, and in the beginning of 20th century Split became the principal port in the area.
Following the end of WWI, the province of Dalmatia was incorporated into the newly created Kingdom of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs, which later became Yugoslavia.
Contemporary Split is the second largest town in Croatia, as well as cultural, academic and economic centre of Dalmatia. According to statistics, Split has the largest annual growth rate of tourist visits in Europe.