2007 Croatia, Salona
ROHILAS IN EUROPE-IX
September 27-October 14, 2007

October 9

Next morning we went to visit Salona, an ancient Roman site, about 3 miles northeast of Split.

An important Roman administrative centre of the Dalmatia region since the 1st century BC, Salona reached its zenith during the rule of Emperor Diocletian, in the 3rd century AD. This town of 60,000 had hot springs, an aqueduct, a theatre and an amphitheatre.

Salona is Croatia’s main archaeological. Its most prominent feature is the 2nd century amphitheater. In this immense three-storey structure, as many as 18,000 spectators could be

entertained here at any time with gladiator fights with bears. The amphitheater was destroyed by the Venetians in the 17th century.

A short distance from the amphitheater is the Manastirine. Originally, it was a Roman pagan necropolis. Quite a few Roman sarcophagi can be seen here. Some of them bear inscriptions or figure-carvings.

Next to the Manastirine is a small museum. It was built as his home and place of work by Frane Bulic (1846-1934), who patiently excavated the site over many years. The museum displays some Roman mosaics.

By the museum is what remains of the vegetable garden and vines. There is a fountain also in the area.

A dirt road from the vegetable garden leads to the ruins of the main settlement of Salona. Starting as early as the 2nd century B.C., walls and fortified towers were built around it over several centuries to protect the citizens from incursions from the outsiders.

But the walls could not protect the inhabitants of Salona in 615 AD, when it was sacked by the Slavs and Avars. Those who were lucky to escape found shelter in the Emperor Diocletian's Pakace in the Split.