We woke up early to begin our tour in Croatia. We arrived at the Port in Split around 7am.
We traveled by bus with a large group of about 30. Our first stop was the gallery of a famous sculptor, Ivan Mestrovic. He was born in 1900 and was one of the few artists to become wealthy from his art while still alive.
The gallery is in a home he built in the 1920s and he and his family resided there until WWII.
He studied the works of ancient and Renaissance masters. Looking at his artwork, you can almost feel the emotion emanating from his work.
This is his second wife Olga and two of his children. He had missed the birth of his son.
Mestrovic made this sculpture of the Katunaric family who were the first people to believe in his talent.
Some of his other pieces are in the gardens.
Mestrovic even sculpted wood. This was fascinating to me.
After the gallery, we headed to Diocletian’s Palace in the old town. It was built in the third century AD. This is free to enter and is an easy walk from the cruise port. However, the cellar is 8 Euros.
We first visited the cellars which today are used for concerts and fashion shows.
The series Game of Thrones was filmed in the cellars.
Holes in the ceiling were where the occupants threw their garbage.
The palace makes up about half of the old town of Split.
Saint Domnius’ Cathedral, built in 305 CE, is part of the Palace.
We next walked through a courtyard and came upon the sphinx guarding the Temple of Jupiter.
The temple is an ancient Roman temple built between 295 and 305 AD.
In the courtyard was a statue created by Ivan Mestrovic.
Bruce and I stopped for a coffee before heading to the bus. Our next stop was for lunch in the Croatian countryside.
There was some pretty countryside during our journey.
At the restaurant, we had prosciutto and cheese, salad, special bread, and a chicken and veal dish. We listened to music.
After a delicious lunch, we walked along the river.
And then headed back to the ship!
It was a very nice tour from Elite Travel with Yvona as our guide.
Tomorrow is up early and off the ship! We are heading to Venice!
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