May 26, 2026
It was in the high 80s today, and so exploring sunny Salona was cut short simply because I could not stay hydrated and cool enough to enjoy the ruins.
Solana is an important site when understanding the history of Split, as it was the birthplace of Roman Emperor Diocletian.
Salona was an ancient city and the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia. It was one of the largest cities of the late Roman Empire, with 60,000 inhabitants, and served as the de facto capital of the Western Roman Empire from 476 to 480.
Salona was founded in the third century BCE and was largely destroyed during the invasions by the Avars and Slavs in the seventh century CE.
The city walls once consisted of 90 towers erected in 170 CE.
In 1871, 16 sarcophagi belonging to pagans and Christians were found arranged in a row. All the sarcophagi were broken and looted during Salona’s downfall.
The Episcopal Center consisted of double basilicas, a baptistery, and the bishop’s palace, which was built in the 5th century.
The Amphitheater was built in the second half of the 2nd century. After the construction of the walls, the amphitheater was incorporated into the city’s defense system.
About 17 thousand visitors could watch the fights in the arena. The auditorium was divided into three zones: two lower zones for sitting and the third for standing.
I wish that the weather had not been so brutal and I had been able to explore more of this amazing site.