Bronze Gate
A smaller Roman gate in Split, once the Emperor's sea entrance, now a gateway to history and the palace cellars.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Fewer crowds, better light
Bronze Gate
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better light

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A smaller Roman gate in Split, once the Emperor's sea entrance, now a gateway to history and the palace cellars.
"It's a well preserved piece of history, which now looks interesting. And a starting point of the walking tour."
🚶♀️ Take a Walking Tour
Gain historical context that makes this gate truly interesting. Essential for appreciating its significance.
👀 Look for the Details
It's smaller and stylistically different from other gates. Keep an eye out for its unique features.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Original Sea Gate
Diocletian's Palace
Once the Emperor's sea entrance, now a gateway to history and the Cathedral.

Palace Cellars Entrance
Via Riva Promenade
Step through to discover former storerooms, now bustling with souvenir shops.
Renaissance Security Gate
Diocletian's Palace
Known as 'Aenea' or Security Gate, offering a glimpse into escape routes.
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Planning Your Visit
Context is Key
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Anyone have any tips to make the bronze age any less of a slog?
🚶♀️ Take a Walking Tour
Gain historical context that makes this gate truly interesting. Essential for appreciating its significance.
👀 Look for the Details
It's smaller and stylistically different from other gates. Keep an eye out for its unique features.
➡️ Start Your Exploration
Use it as a main entry point from the Riva to explore the palace cellars and beyond.
🛍️ Browse the Shops
The cellars behind the gate are filled with souvenir sellers, offering a lively atmosphere.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Take a Walking Tour
Gain historical context that makes this gate truly interesting. Essential for appreciating its significance.
👀 Look for the Details
It's smaller and stylistically different from other gates. Keep an eye out for its unique features.
➡️ Start Your Exploration
Use it as a main entry point from the Riva to explore the palace cellars and beyond.
🛍️ Browse the Shops
The cellars behind the gate are filled with souvenir sellers, offering a lively atmosphere.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find the Bronze Gate to be an ordinary-looking Roman gate that gains significance when understood in its historical context. While some find it unimpressive initially, its role as a former sea gate and current entry point to Diocletian's Palace, along with the bustling souvenir shops in the cellars, makes it a noteworthy stop.
"It is the most ordinary thing you can see. That is - until you take a walking tour and get some context. It's a well preserved piece of history, which now looks interesting. And a starting point of the walking tour."
Mayuresh Kadu
"Lots to see and enjoying the views."
Nasir Fazal
"The Brass Gate is a relatively small ancient Roman gate that led to the waterfront in its heyday and now leads onto the Riva Promenade. If you're entering from the Riva, the gate will take you to the palace cellars that were formerly used as storerooms, but now house the souvenir sellers. The gate is also kind of hidden from sight, so unless you are really looking for it, you just might miss it. Not very impressive, to be honest."
Bobby C
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Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Bronze Gate (Mjedena Vrata) is located on the Riva Promenade in Split, Croatia. It's a main entry point from the waterfront into the old town and Diocletian's Palace. You can easily walk to it if you are staying in or near the city center.
It can be somewhat hidden from plain sight, so you might need to actively look for it. It's situated between the Riva Promenade and the palace cellars.
Approaching from the Riva Promenade is the most direct way. It serves as a primary entrance to the palace complex from the sea-facing side.
Parking in Split's old town can be challenging. It's best to park in a designated public parking garage outside the immediate vicinity of the palace and walk.
Yes, Split has a good bus system. If you're coming from further afield, you can take a bus to the main bus station, which is a short walk from the Riva and the Bronze Gate.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, the Bronze Gate itself is an open passage and does not require a ticket to pass through. It's a free entry point into the palace complex.
As an open gate, it's accessible at all times. However, the shops and attractions within the palace cellars behind it will have their own operating hours.
While passing through the gate is free, entering the palace cellars, which house souvenir shops and sometimes small exhibits, is also generally free. Some specific museums within the palace might have separate entry fees.
Yes, the Bronze Gate is one of the main entrances from the Riva Promenade into the historic heart of Diocletian's Palace.
Many walking tours of Split and Diocletian's Palace begin at or near the Bronze Gate, as it's a convenient and historically significant starting point.
🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience
The gate itself is a well-preserved Roman structure. Behind it, you'll find the palace cellars, which are now filled with souvenir shops and offer a glimpse into the palace's past.
While it might seem ordinary, its historical significance as a former sea gate and its role as an entry point to Diocletian's Palace make it a worthwhile stop, especially with context from a tour.
You can explore the palace cellars, visit the souvenir shops, or head towards the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, which is easily accessible from this part of the palace.
The gate itself is a passage, and the Riva Promenade is generally accessible. The cellars behind it might have uneven surfaces or steps, so caution is advised for strollers and wheelchairs.
It was originally a sea gate for Emperor Diocletian to enter his palace by boat. It also served as a security gate, offering an escape route.
📸 📸 Photography
Early morning or late afternoon offers softer light and fewer crowds, making for better photography opportunities. The golden hour can cast a beautiful glow on the ancient stone.
Capture the gate's architecture, the bustling atmosphere of the shops in the cellars, and the transition from the Riva Promenade into the historic palace.
Try shooting from the Riva to frame the gate with the sea in the background, or from within the cellars looking back out towards the promenade.
Yes, you can take photos inside the cellars, but be mindful of the shop owners and other visitors. Some areas might be more restricted if they contain specific exhibits.
Use a wider aperture for portraits or to isolate details, and a narrower aperture for landscapes to capture the full scene. Consider a tripod for low-light conditions.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Keep in mind that the cellars can be crowded, and some areas might have uneven flooring, so keeping a close eye on younger children is advised. It's a good spot for a brief stop before heading to more open areas of the palace or the nearby waterfront.
🚶 Budget Travelers
For budget travelers, it's an excellent starting point for a self-guided exploration of Split's historic core. You can absorb the atmosphere and history without spending money, making it a valuable stop on any itinerary.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Historical Significance of the Bronze Gate
Beyond its role as an imperial entrance, the Bronze Gate also served a crucial defensive purpose. During the Renaissance, it was referred to as the 'Aenea' or 'Brass' Gate, and also the Security Gate. This name points to its function as a potential escape route in times of attack or conquest of the palace. Its stylistic differences and smaller dimensions compared to other gates suggest a more specialized or perhaps later addition to the palace's defensive and access infrastructure.
Today, the Bronze Gate acts as a vital entry point from the Riva Promenade into the heart of the old town and the Cathedral of Saint Domnius. While partly restored, it retains its historical charm and offers visitors a tangible link to Split's Roman past. It's a starting point for many exploring the labyrinthine streets and ancient structures of Diocletian's Palace, making its historical context essential for a full appreciation.
Navigating the Palace Cellars
Currently, the cellars are home to numerous souvenir shops selling a wide array of local crafts, jewelry, clothing, and mementos. It's a popular spot for tourists to pick up gifts and souvenirs. The layout of the cellars, with their interconnected rooms and passages, makes for an interesting browsing experience. Some sections might also house small exhibits or displays related to the palace's history, though the primary draw is the shopping.
When exploring the cellars, remember that they are a part of an ancient structure. Surfaces can be uneven, and lighting can vary. It's a great place to wander and soak in the atmosphere, imagining the palace in its prime while enjoying the modern-day commerce.
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