Walk with me through Diocletian's retirement villa in Split, Croatia

The first in a series on Diocletian's retirement villa, where he lived until his death (311). This archaeological site became the core of the port city Split, Croatia. Diocletian brought the empire back from the brink during the chaos of the third century during his long reign from 284-305. He reformed the empire and solidified his reign, opting to leave the throne and politics for his gardening and villa life (305-311). The tetrarchy system he set up with senior and junior emperors collapsed, but he refused to join in the new game of thrones, preferring his fortified villa life.
Join Darius for the first in a series of videos looking at the amazingly well-preserved villa: walls, mausoleum, temples, residences, and striking underground areas- all of which provided impressive backgrounds for the Game of Thrones series.
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[@ScapularSaves]

What an irony: The cathedral was named after Saint Domnius (Saint Dujam, or Saint Domnius) patron saint of Split, who was a 3rd-century Bishop of Salona. Salona was a large Roman city serving as capital of the Province of Dalmatia. Today it is located near the city of Solin in Croatia. Saint Domnius was martyred with seven other Christians in the persecutions of the Emperor Diocletian. He was born in Antioch, in modern-day Turkey, and beheaded in 304 at Salona. Very interesting video.... always wondered what Diocletian did during his retirement and how he kept watch over the Tetrarchy.

[@TesterAnimal1]

It’s an amazing place. Visited a couple of times. Lots of little alleyways to explore and “outcrops” of antique architecture to see. You should check out Pula further north. The amphitheatre there is incredibly well preserved. Visited there last year.

[@Amaryllis1961]

I am sure Darius know perfectly all Roman cities in Dalmatia😀. And not only therev😀But you cannot show them all at once...

[@SavageVoyageur]

I was there 5 years ago. Thanks for the memories.

[@missbrooks6659]

Thank you so much for this tour. I am now forced to be an “arm chair traveler” and I do so enjoy your videos! Thanks so much!

[@DariusArya]

My pleasure

[@dagmarbubolz7999]

Same, disabled bc of cancer, but it's another illness that doesn't let my body produce enough energy, and that's what limits my travels, even if conditions for disability and wheelchair would be perfect. I watch a lot of such travel and archeology stuff, I had plans to travel so much more as soon as my kids were old enough but that's exactly when that horrible illness startvd and then progressed to now housebound. I watch all this still with awe and curiousity, but also am often sad after, bc I can't go

[@calvingrondahl1011]

I first saw that palace in John Romer’s Testament series, good to see it again.

[@annikboyer3395]

This place is simply gorgeous!

[@DariusArya]

Thank you - stay tuned for more site visits in Croatia!

[@cscarlton24]

Great content!

[@Pfsif]

Looks pieced together.

[@oiausdlkasuldhflaksjdhoiausydo]

Great tour!! thanks for your video. I will surely visit Split thanks to your vid

[@DariusArya]

Great to hear - I’ll share more on this key archaeological site soon

[@bcastano1105]

Awesome video Darius. I always learn so much from your video's

[@DariusArya]

Thank you!

[@chrissielefranc1916]

I was there in the 70’s when Split was part of Yugoslavia and stayed at the Marian Hotel a few mins walk from there. The whole place is beautiful.

[@chrissielefranc1916]

Marjan Hotel

[@TWOCOWS1]

Fantastic. Thank you for getting up so early to film this place--so clear and empty

[@salomovitz]

parfaitement juste !

[@lunchhooks2253]

thank you so much

[@DariusArya]

More Croatia on the way

[@lunchhooks2253]

@@DariusArya I can barely wait, Darius. Your tours bring me to tears.

[@justinmlawrence]

So cool!

[@marthaarya167]

Must go there!

[@DariusArya]

In the future - let’s go!

[@rubenfranco8373]

Awesome! Just subscribed!!

[@RandOm-xc4qi]

A great and educational video, Darius. Thank you. When you find yourself back in Italy, it would be cool if you could show people around Ostia Antica and the associated buildings there (like the bathhouses or mithraea).

[@DariusArya]

Have you seen the videos on Ostia on our KZbin.com/wedigrome

[@RandOm-xc4qi]

@@DariusArya No i didn't, thank you for linking! Amazing content.

[@Rayza82]

I might be going there tomorrow because of a 10 hour layover at the airport. Is it easy to access from the airport and how long does it take to explore the whole area? Thanks.

[@AncientRomeLive]

@@Rayza82 I would spend the whole afternoon there!

[@williamkauffman5745]

very interesting

[@Rayza82]

One of the most incredible and first Roman ruins I ever experienced about 1 year ago. AND IT WAS SO VERY CROWDED at that same place 2019 in October/November all of the 15 times I went into the center city in my month stay in the region. So COVID has greatly effected the normal crowd there. So cool to see it differently. The ruins of Solona are really cool too! And yes, Hrvastka (what they call their country) is one of my favorite places I have ever been. Currently in Palermo Sicily. I am a digital nomad out of the USA for 2 years and I love history!

[@DariusArya]

These days all sites are pretty empty

[@tourdeskcroatia]

We are introducing new legislation now that will enable foreigners to work as digital nomads in Croatia - you might come and try to live/work here as well. Here is some useful info about the palace www.tourdesksplit.com/diocletians-palace-split-croatia/

[@11ascoltare]

Thanks for this. It's spectacular. i would love to visit some day. Even from Venice there must be boats? Too bad I can't share anymore, they've kidded me off of twitter for good this time. I'm a bad boy, I have opinions. Thanks again Darius.

[@DariusArya]

Easy flight to Split from Rome

[@11ascoltare]

It's a must now that I've seen it. I understand there are a lot of Roman structures including an amphitheater that's almost untouched. I've seen pics of it. Maybe even on your instagram, not sure where tho. Thanks again.

[@romealone7153]

Thanks Darius. Do you have the contact details for your tour guide, Dino?😁

[@severusscorpus1175]

Italy my favorite place.

[@TesterAnimal1]

It’s Croatia.

[@stevenmarcato1325]

Of the mausoleum was converted into a church, what did they do with his remains?

[@gospelofthomas77thpearl22]

It is an amazing place. I heard from one of the guides that St Sebastian was martyred there. Is that true? Is it also true that he was initially Diocletian’s lover, before converting?

[@DariusArya]

St Sebastian that I know was killed on the Palatine hill in Rome

[@gospelofthomas77thpearl22]

@@DariusArya goes to show that not all guides do their homework, or they just like to embellish a spaces history. Thanks 👍🏼

[@LiveCamCroatiaWebcams]

Hi from Croatia z

[@DariusArya]

Hey! I’ll be sharing more Croatia videos 👋👋

[@CapriccioCello]

Zdravo,gde si komšije?

[@Mr.PepeSilvia]

I wonder where Diocletian grew his cabbages? 🤔

[@DariusArya]

Haha!

[@tourdeskcroatia]

Cabages were grown west on Diocletian's Palace, in the area that is today part of medieval town of Split. Here is a good article about Diocletian's Palace www.tourdesksplit.com/diocletians-palace-split-croatia/ Well worth reading!

[@Mr.PepeSilvia]

@@tourdeskcroatia you're awesome. Thank you!

[@tourdeskcroatia]

@@Mr.PepeSilvia You're welcome my friend!

[@68scrooge]

Too much time in "selfies" and you're TOO CLOSE.... point the camera at the subject most of the time . . good video otherwise..

[@chumleyk]

`less of your face and your talk of the iphone you have and more of the thing we're here for.