West of the palace, the sea and the islands

Diocletian's Palace, built around 305 CE, occupies the entire southeastern quarter of Split's old city. The palace walls face south over the Riva waterfront promenade and the Adriatic. Marjan Hill, a 178-meter forested promontory on the western edge of the city, faces west over the sea toward the islands of Čiovo, Šolta, and Brač. At sunset from Marjan's upper paths, light drops into the channel between the mainland and the islands, turning the water deep orange-red. The Peristyle, the Roman ceremonial courtyard in the heart of the palace complex, faces south and catches direct afternoon light on its columns and loggia. Bačvice beach, east of the old city, faces south over the Adriatic. The ferry terminal on the western side of the Riva connects to the islands; the view from the terminal at dusk takes in the city, the sea, and the low island silhouettes.