Split in History: Footage from 1937

By 29 August 2017

Continuing our look at Split in history with footage from 80 years ago.

Split, home of Emperor Diocletian, as it once was in 1937. 

And how did it look back then?

Surely, there were fewer people. There is no flag or cross on Marjan hill, but the rooftops remain the same. The boats still line the walkways, and the Riva still boasts the best fashion. Women walk around with baskets buying fruit that is sold to them by children or men on boats. Piles of wood are carried on the backs of women around town, and the Green Market looks the same. Well, maybe just the outfits have changed. 

Men in poor boy caps sell flowers, wooden sailboats sit in the sea, and yes, oh yes, are the palm trees still there.

Here is a look at Split in 1937 from an excerpt of “Mediterranean Story: #2” which was released in 1951 by "Penn Museum" (The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology). All of the footage you will see was filmed in the city of Split in 1937.

The film, in its entirety, also visits Istria, Korčula, and Dubrovnik. You can view the full film below. 

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