The Split Tourist Board and the Croatian National Theater have organized the changing of Diocletian’s guards on Peristyle during the tourist season for years.
Yesterday’s solemn opening of the project 'Changing of the Guard' took place at exactly at 12:00 in Peristyle with hundreds of tourists who enjoyed the 20-minute spectacle, reports Dalmatinkski Portal on May 15, 2017.
The audience readily responded to 'Ave' Diocletian as he greeted them in English and invited them to his palace. The famous Emporer Diocletian was embodied by actor Maro Nejašmić Banić.
Director of the Tourist Board of Split, Alijana Vukšić, is particularly proud that the changing of Diocletian’s guard has become a recognizable tourist product.
"This is a manifestation that attracts a large number of our guests, as you can see today. For the tenth year, Peristyle is full of tourists every day at exactly noon to attend the changing of the guard and greet our Emperor Diocletian and Priscilla. By doing this, we return the history to our city and send postcards around the world in the best possible way. We hope that this wonderful photo will be sent everywhere around the world this year,” said Vukšić, who took the opportunity to praise the brilliant figures in the preseason.
“In April, we ended up with a 46% increase in guest arrivals and a 61% increase in overnight stays when compared to last year. The first 15 days of May have marked good results and we hope that this will be a successful season.”
Along with the Roman soldiers who will keep the Imperial Chambers throughout the day, every day at noon Diocletian will greet all of the guests at Peristyle until September 27th.
Since we missed the spectacle yesterday (we won’t today), here’s a look at the performance from last year.
