Split, Croatia: Difference between revisions
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[[Diocletian]] was a [[Roman emperor]] who ruled between AD [[284]] and [[305]] and was known for his reforms and persecution of [[Christian]]s. He ordered the work on the palace to begin in [[293]] in readiness for his retirement from politics in 305. The palace faces the sea on its south side and its walls are 170 to 200 m (570 to 700 feet) long and 15 to 20 m (50 to 70 feet) high, and it encloses an area of 38,000 m² (9½ acres). This massive structure was long deserted when the first citizens of Split settled inside its walls. In [[639]], the interior was converted into a town by the citizens of [[Salona]] who escaped the destruction of their town by the [[Eurasian Avars|Avars]]. Over the centuries, the city has spread out over the surrounding landscape, but even today the palace constitutes the inner core of the city, still inhabited, full of shops, markets, squares, with even a Christian [[cathedral]] (formerly Diocletian's [[mausoleum]]) inserted in the corridors and floors of the former palace. Although part of [[Byzantine Empire]], the town had political autonomy. |
[[Diocletian]] was a [[Roman emperor]] who ruled between AD [[284]] and [[305]] and was known for his reforms and persecution of [[Christian]]s. He ordered the work on the palace to begin in [[293]] in readiness for his retirement from politics in 305. The palace faces the sea on its south side and its walls are 170 to 200 m (570 to 700 feet) long and 15 to 20 m (50 to 70 feet) high, and it encloses an area of 38,000 m² (9½ acres). This massive structure was long deserted when the first citizens of Split settled inside its walls. In [[639]], the interior was converted into a town by the citizens of [[Salona]] who escaped the destruction of their town by the [[Eurasian Avars|Avars]]. Over the centuries, the city has spread out over the surrounding landscape, but even today the palace constitutes the inner core of the city, still inhabited, full of shops, markets, squares, with even a Christian [[cathedral]] (formerly Diocletian's [[mausoleum]]) inserted in the corridors and floors of the former palace. Although part of [[Byzantine Empire]], the town had political autonomy. |
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[[Image:Split riva.jpg|thumb|right| |
[[Image:Split riva.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Split's "riva"]] |
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The rise of the early [[Medieval Croatian state]] in neighbouring littoral (coastal cities) and the hinterland provoked in the following centuries Split developed a Croatian character, which can be seen in the architecture of churches in the city and surroundings, and which led to the unity of the Church with Split at the center in [[928]]; it is important to mention that there was an important church synode, where a clerical jurisdiction over Croatia and relations of Latin-rite and Croat (slavic)-rite in church in Croatia were discussed. |
The rise of the early [[Medieval Croatian state]] in neighbouring littoral (coastal cities) and the hinterland provoked in the following centuries Split developed a Croatian character, which can be seen in the architecture of churches in the city and surroundings, and which led to the unity of the Church with Split at the center in [[928]]; it is important to mention that there was an important church synode, where a clerical jurisdiction over Croatia and relations of Latin-rite and Croat (slavic)-rite in church in Croatia were discussed. |
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Revision as of 13:46, 16 August 2007
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2007) |
| Grad Split City of Split | |
|---|---|
| |
| photo: Split Harbour | |
| General Information | |
| Country: | Croatia |
| Croatian name: | Grad Split |
| Licence plate code: | ST |
| Area code: | 21 |
| Postal code: | 21000 |
| Website: | www.split.hr |
| Coat of Arms | |
| File:Split (grb).gif | |
| Map: Split in Croatia | |
  Split Split (Croatia) | |
| Politics | |
| Mayor | Ivan Kuret (HDZ) |
| Governing Party | HDZ |
| Population | |
| Population: | 221,456 (2007) 408,000 metro |
| Population density: | 3,515/km² |
| Geography | |
| Area: | 63 km² |
| Location: | 43°30′N, 16°26′E |
| Highest Point: | 189 m (Marjan) |
| Lowest Point: | 0 m |
Split (Greek: Ασπάλαθος, Latin: Spalatum) is the largest and most important city in Dalmatia, the administrative centre of Croatia's Split-Dalmatia County and is the second largest city in Croatia. It is situated on a small peninsula on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea.
History
Although the beginnings of Split are usually linked to the building of Diocletian's Palace, there is evidence that this area was inhabited as a Greek colony even earlier. The area's urban tradition is, thus, many thousands of years old, not least due to the proximity of Salona, the capitol of the entire Dalmatia province during the time of the Roman Empire.
Diocletian was a Roman emperor who ruled between AD 284 and 305 and was known for his reforms and persecution of Christians. He ordered the work on the palace to begin in 293 in readiness for his retirement from politics in 305. The palace faces the sea on its south side and its walls are 170 to 200 m (570 to 700 feet) long and 15 to 20 m (50 to 70 feet) high, and it encloses an area of 38,000 m² (9½ acres). This massive structure was long deserted when the first citizens of Split settled inside its walls. In 639, the interior was converted into a town by the citizens of Salona who escaped the destruction of their town by the Avars. Over the centuries, the city has spread out over the surrounding landscape, but even today the palace constitutes the inner core of the city, still inhabited, full of shops, markets, squares, with even a Christian cathedral (formerly Diocletian's mausoleum) inserted in the corridors and floors of the former palace. Although part of Byzantine Empire, the town had political autonomy.
The rise of the early Medieval Croatian state in neighbouring littoral (coastal cities) and the hinterland provoked in the following centuries Split developed a Croatian character, which can be seen in the architecture of churches in the city and surroundings, and which led to the unity of the Church with Split at the center in 928; it is important to mention that there was an important church synode, where a clerical jurisdiction over Croatia and relations of Latin-rite and Croat (slavic)-rite in church in Croatia were discussed.
At the beginning of the 12th century Split was led by nobility of Kingdom of Croatia-Hungary. The city however maintained independence, as in 1312 it issued statues and had currency of its own. The Venetian Republic took control of Split in 1420, when the population was Croatian, but the common language was also italian. The autonomy of the city remained, though somewhat reduced: the highest authority was a prince-captain who was always of Venetian birth.
During the Middle Ages and under Venetian rule Split developed into an important port city with trade routes to the interior through the nearby Klis pass. Culture flourished as well, Split being the hometown of Marko Marulic, a classic Croatian author. Marko Marulić wrote Judita (1501) in Split, and published it there (1521). It is widely held to be the first modern work of literature in Croatian. Still, all those achievements were reserved mostly for aristocracy, illiteracy rate was extremely high, mostly because Venetian rule showed little interest in educational and medical facilities.
Venice held Split until its own downfall in 1797. The city fell to Austria-Hungary after a brief period of Napoleonic rule (1806–1813). Large investments were undertaken during that time in the city, new streets were built and parts of the old fortifications were removed.
Under Austria, however, Split can be said to have stagnated. The general upheavals in Europe starting in 1848 gained no ground in Split.
Split in the 20th century
After the end of World War I and the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, the province of Dalmatia, along with Split, became a part of The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (which in 1929 changed its name to Yugoslavia). After both Rijeka and Zadar, the two other large cities on the eastern Adriatic coast, were annexed by Italy, Split became the most important port in Yugoslavia. In the new country, Split became the seat of new administrative unit, Littoral Banovina. The Lika railway, connecting Split to the rest of the country, was completed in 1925.
After the Cvetković-Maček agreement, Split became the part of new administrative unit (merging of Sava and Littoral Banovina plus some Croat populated areas), Banovina of Croatia in Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
In April 1941, following the invasion of Yugoslavia by the Nazi Germany, Split was occupied by Italy and formally annexed one month later. Italian rule met heavy opposition from the Croat majority and almost a third of the population joined Tito's Partisans. The local football clubs refused to compete in the Italian championship; HNK Hajduk and RNK Split suspended its activities and later both joined the Partisans along with their entire staff. Soon after Hajduk became the official football club of the Partisan movement.
In September 1943, following the capitulation of Italy, the city was liberated by Tito's brigades with thousands of people volunteering to join the Partisans, only to be placed (by the Wehrmacht) under the occupation of the Nazi puppet NDH (the so called "Independent State of Croatia") just a few weeks later. During the occupation, some of the port facilities as well as parts of the old city were damaged by NDH and German bombing. In a tragic turn of events, besides being bombed by axis forces, the heavily pro-Partisan city was also bombed by the Allies, causing hundreds of deaths. Partisans finally liberated the city on October 26, 1944. On February 12, 1945 the Kriegsmarine conducted a daring raid on the Split harbour, damaging the British cruiser Delhi. Until the end of war Split was the provisional capital of Partisan-controlled Croatia.
After World War II, Split became a part of SR Croatia, itself a constituent sovereign republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. During the period the city experienced its largest economical and demographic boom. Dozens of new factories and other companies were founded with the cities population increasing three times during the period. The city became the economic center of an area far exceeding the borders of Croatia and was flooded by waves of rural migrants from the undeveloped hinterland who found employment in the newly built factories, a part of large-scale industrialization and investment by the Yugoslav Federal government. The Shipbuilding industry was particularly successful, with Yugoslavia becoming one of the world's top nations in the field. Many recreational facilities were also constructed with federal funding, especially for the 1979 Mediterranean Games, such as the Poljud stadium, an architectural marvel. The city also became the largest passenger and military port in Yugoslavia and the center of the JNA's (Yugoslav People's Army) Coastal military district (equivalent of an army Corps) along with the headquarters of the Yugoslav Military Navy (the JRM). In the period between 1945 and 1990, the city was totally transformed and expanded, taking up the whole of the peninsula. In the same period (considered its golden age) it achieved an as yet unsurpassed GDP and employment level, far above the present day's, and became one of the largest cities in the whole of Yugoslavia.
When Croatia declared independence in 1991, Split had a large garrison of JNA troops (drafted from all over Yugoslavia), as well as facilities and the headquarters of the Yugoslav Military Navy (JRM). This led to a months-long tense stand-off between the JNA and Croatian military and police forces, occasionally flaring up with various incidents.
The most tragic such incident occurred in November 15 1991, when the JRM frigate Split fired a small number of shells at the city. The damage was insignificant, but there were a few casualties. In this incident, only the old town was shelled, as it contained Croat cultural and historical monuments and was exclusively Croat-populated. This was the only time in history that a city was bombarded by a military vessel bearing its name. On the same day of the attack, Croat forces damaged the frigate Split, forcing it later to be abandoned. Sailors of the JRM who had refused to attack fellow Yugoslav citizens were left in the vessel's brig. The JNA and JRM evacuated all of its facilities in Split during January 1992. The economic depression soon began.
Geography
Split is situated on a peninsula between the eastern part of the Gulf of Kaštela and the Split Channel. A hill, Marjan (178 m), rises in the western part of the peninsula. The ridges Kozjak (780 m) and his brother Mosor (1330 m) protect the city from the north and northeast, and separate it from the hinterland.
Split has a Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers (maximum air temperature in July reaches 36°C) and warm, wet winters (average annual rainfall is 900 mm). Split is one of the sunniest places in Europe.
Vegetation is of the evergreen Mediterranean type, and subtropical flora (palm-trees, agaves, cacti) grow in the city and its surroundings. Marjan is covered with a cultivated forest.
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Population
According to the 2001 census, the city of Split has 188,694 citizens, while in 2007 Split has 221,456 residents. There are about 410,000 people in the Split metro area. Split has one of the largest demographic growths in Croatia. The entire Split-Dalmatia county has about 470,000 residents. Croats make up 95.15% of the population.[2] 88.37% of the residents of the city are Roman Catholics. [citation needed]
Economy
Split's economy has slowly begun to emerge from the recession caused by the transfer to a market economy. During the shadowy privatization process and the breakdown of law and order caused by the breakup of Yugoslavia, a large number of the city's prosperous companies were utterly ruined by criminal activity and corruption as people enjoying the new government's support scrambled to make as much money as possible by dismantling the industry and selling its property off piecemeal. In the Yugoslav era, though, the city had been a very important economic centre with a modern and diverse industrial and economic base including shipbuilding, food, chemical, plastics, clothing, paper industry, etc. Today most of the factories are out of business (or are far below pre-civil war production and employment capacity) and the city has been trying to concentrate on commerce and services, consequently leaving an alarmingly large number of factory workers unemployed. It has nevertheless managed to relatively maintain its position as an important transportation, commercial, and administrative center of Dalmatia, ensuring stable, though lethargic economic growth.
The prospects for the future perhaps look somewhat brighter. The new A1 motorway, integrating Split with the rest of the Croatian freeway network, has helped stimulate economic production and investment, with new businesses being built in the city center and its wildy sprawling suburbs. The entire route was opened in July 2005. Today, the city's economy relies mostly on trade and tourism with some old industries undergoing partial revival, such as food (fishing, olive, wine production), paper, concrete and chemicals.
A government report in late October 2006 released somewhat positive information regarding Split's economy. In 2005 and 2006, 4000 new jobs were created in Split's rather large province. Foreign investment in the first six months of 2006 grew by 76%, and for the first time export levels were greater than import levels. Also, Split's economy in the first half of 2006 grew at a 6% rate. Additionally, 2006 brought to Split many shipbuilding jobs, which signify the beginning of revitalization for the once-massive shipbuilding industry in Split.
Transport
Split is an important transport center for Dalmatia and the wider region. In addition to the Zagreb-Split freeway (A1), all the road traffic along the Adriatic coast on the route Zadar–Dubrovnik flows through the city. The city also has an impressive series of expressways and avenues, enabling efficient, fast transit by car around the city and its suburbs.
The airport in Kaštela is the third largest in Croatia in terms of passenger numbers (1,095,852 in 2006), with year-round services to Zagreb and Frankfurt and Cologne Bonn Airport in Germany and heavy tourist traffic in the summer. Terminal expansion is to commence in 2008.
The Split passenger seaport is one of the largest on the eastern Adriatic coast with daily coastal routes to Rijeka, Dubrovnik and Ancona in Italy. During summer season Split is connected with other Italian cities as well, such as Pescara. Most of the central Dalmatian islands are only reachable via the Split harbour (with Jadrolinija and Split Tours ferries). This includes both the closer islands of Brač, Hvar and Šolta, and the more distant Vis, Korčula and Lastovo .
Split is the southernmost integrated point of the Croatian Railway network. Within Split's city centre, railway traffic passes two tunnels before reaching the Central Station. The line to Split is unremarkable; a journey from Split to Zagreb or Rijeka takes around 5 hours, as the line is unelectrified and consists of only one track. Currently, there are no definite plans to upgrade the line, but with the start of work on the new Zagreb-Rijeka railway line in October 2007, the line to Split may very well see renovation in the near future.
The Split Suburban Railway network opened in early December 2006. It currently has one line, running from Split-Harbour to Kaštel Stari, but is being revamped with brand-new stations and reconstruction of existing ones. The line is expected to get a 2nd track and be fully electrified starting in 2008. New, low-floor trains are expected as well. This line will also be lengthened, to encompass the aforementioned Split International Airport and continue on to the city of Trogir and Seget Donji. Split has a mini-metro that is to be operational by 2009.
Culture
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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.JPG) | |
| Criteria | Cultural: ii, iii, iv |
| Reference | 97 |
| Inscription | 1979 (3rd Session) |
Split is also known as one of the centres of Croatian culture.
Its literary tradition can be traced to medieval times, and includes names like Marko Marulić, while in more modern times Split excelled by authors famous for their sense of humour. Among them the most notable is Miljenko Smoje. Also well known is Ivo Tijardović, and his famous operetta "Little Floramye". Both Smoje and Tijardović are thought to represent the old Split traditions that are slowly dying out due to the city being overwhelmed by large numbers of rural migrants from the undeveloped hinterland. The old Split families still desperately cling to Dalmatian values, often publicly stating their disgust at the ruralisation of the ancient city.
Split also houses two important archeological museums - one dedicated to antiquity, another to the early medieval period.
The most recognisable aspect of Split culture is popular music. Notable composers include Ivo Tijardović, Zdenko Runjić - some of the most influential musicians in former Yugoslavia.
There is great cultural activity during summers, when the prestigious Split Music Festival is held, followed by Split Summer (Splitsko ljeto) theatre festival.
Despite colourful settings and characters, as well as cinema tradition that could be traced to early 20th century and works of Josip Karaman, there were relatively few films shot in or around Split.
Sport
Split's most famous resident is the former tennis star Goran Ivanišević. Another successful tennis star is Mario Ančić ("Super Mario"), also from Split. The local football team is Hajduk Split. Basketball is also popular. The basketball club KK Split (Jugoplastika) is keeping the absolute record of winning Euroleague three consecutive times (1989-1991) with notable players like Toni Kukoč and Dino Rađa, both of whom are Split natives. Members of the local rowing club Gusar won numerous Olympic and world championship medals. Other popular sports are: swimming, handball and sailing. Also few famous swimmers, Ante Mašković, Vanja Rogulj etc.
The biggest sports events to be held in Split were the Mediterranean Games in 1979 and the European Athletics Championships in 1990.
Picigin is a local sport played on several of the city beaches (Bačvice, etc.) imported from northern parts of Adriatic coast. It is played in shallow water with a small ball. There is a tradition of playing picigin in Split on New Year's Day, regardless of the weather conditions, even though the sea temperature rarely exceeds 10 degrees Celsius.
Football stadium is Poljud, with 35,000 capacity (55000 before renovating to an all-seater). A new project for a handball arena (13,500 capacity) has been started.
Sister cities/towns
Ancona, Italy
Antofagasta, Chile- Punta Arenas, Chile
Bet Shemesh, Israel
Cockburn, Australia
Dover, United Kingdom
Gladsaxe, Denmark
Los Angeles, USA
Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Odessa, Ukraine
Ostrava, Czech Republic- Pescara, Italy
Štip, Republic of Macedonia
Trondheim, Norway
Velenje, Slovenia
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf of Berlin, Germany
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External links
- Official Split web page
- Template:Wikitravel
- Split information (including Diocletian's palace)
- Split Travel Guide
- Split Dalmatia
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