Emulate the great emperor Diocletian with luxury yacht charter

If you are enjoying a Croatian break, the city of Split is one destination you definitely won’t want to miss. By far the greatest attraction here is the stunning Diocletian’s Palace, built by the Roman emperor in the 4th century as the ultimate retirement home.

The Romans were known for their extravagant style and this building is no exception. Whilst it is commonly regarded as a palace, around half of the structure was used as a private residence and the rest functioned as a fortress and military base for the emperor’s garrison of soldiers. No expense was spared in its construction, with walls made from both white limestone and spectacular white marble from the nearby island of Brac.

Diocletian’s Palace has many notable features, including structures such as houses and offices; a temple to the god Jupiter; and much impressive statuary, particularly the granite sphinxes. One of the most interesting elements is the huge underground complex, including a wine cellar with spectacular vaulted ceilings and even a garden. It is no surprise that the palace has been used as a location for television and film productions, including Game of Thrones.

The cisterns underneath were designed with typical Roman flair and keen sailor Diocletian even arranged for the lower tier of the palace to be open to the sea so that he could travel directly into his home without having to leave the boat.

The building has been remarkably well preserved and forms the heart of the city, with many residences and businesses located within its walls. You may not be able to sail directly inside it on your luxury yacht charter in Croatia; however, wandering among the truly impressive remains allows you to imagine just how opulent the palace was.