The Palace of Diocletian, now the old town of Split, is a World Heritage Site and one of the most important structures for the study of late Roman palaces, imperial ceremonial and urban change in late antiquity. At the heart of this palatial complex, and the town, is the Mausoleum of Diocletian/Split Cathedral; a transformation which encapsulates the transition at Split from imperial residence to late antique and medieval town. The area of the Palace, and Split County, is also one of Europe’s most important tourist destinations and was the single largest contributor to Croatia’s total tourism income of $19,720.8mn in 2017. The potential heritage threat caused by tourism to areas such as Split is indicated by recent data that suggests in July 2017 alone, tourist numbers in the town rose by 20% whilst, nationally, Croatian tourism is predicted to increase significantly through to 2027 when tourist income will represent 31.5% of Croatian GDP (World Travel and Tourism Council 2017). These data suggested the Mausoleum of Diocletian as a case study for Curious Travellers. Previous research, by the Central Dalmatian Archaeological Project in 2009, also provided supporting comparative data sets for use by Curious Travellers. Survey by this earlier project provides information on standing and subsurface remains at Split, and the Curious Travellers case study has integrated data from 3D laser scanning of the Mausoleum and its surroundings and GPR in the Peristyle of the Palace with data provided by the Curious Travellers team.
Location
Diocletians Palace Split Croatia
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