Cindro Palace

Cindro Palace is a Baroque residence woven into the streetscape of Split's old town, standing along the former Dioklecijanova street — the east-west artery that once ran straight through the heart of Diocletian's Palace in Roman times. The building sits between the Peristyle and the Iron Gate, right along the route almost every visitor to the old town ends up walking anyway.

What is this place?

The palace was built as the residence of the noble Cindro family, one of the patrician households tied to public life in old Split. Architecturally, it's a textbook example of a Venetian-style patrician palace: a striking facade with elaborate stonework and decorative details typical of the Baroque period sets it apart from the plainer houses around it. The building is arranged around a central courtyard, enclosed by four wings, with balconied rooms overlooking the inner space — a layout common to patrician residences of the era, balancing a grand public face with a private family courtyard.

How do you get there?

Since the palace sits within the walls of Diocletian's Palace, reaching it just means walking through the old town. The easiest approach is to start at the Peristyle — the complex's central square — and head along Dioklecijanova street toward the Iron Gate, the western entrance to the palace complex. Cindro Palace stands right along this stretch, between the two landmarks. The entire old town is pedestrian-only, so there's no need to plan a route by car or bus — just follow the crowd.

What will you see?

From the outside, the palace stands out thanks to its ornate facade — the stonework, cornices, and decorative window frames are noticeably richer than the surrounding old-town buildings, a clear sign of the wealth and status of its former owners. It's worth pausing for a minute to take in the architectural details, since this is one of the clearest surviving traces of the Baroque period within the ancient Roman walls. The building itself is not open to visitors — the interior, including the balconied courtyard, stays out of reach. The only tangible piece of history on display is a commemorative plaque mounted on the facade, tucked between the shopfronts that now occupy the ground floor.

When should you visit?

Since the palace is only viewed from the outside, timing mostly comes down to crowd levels and light for photos. Early morning or late afternoon are the best windows for a quiet look at the facade, before the main flow of tourists fills the route between the Peristyle and the Iron Gate. Because the palace sits directly on the path connecting the old town's two key landmarks, you'll walk past it almost automatically while sightseeing — no need to set aside separate time for it.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Cindro Palace? No, the building is privately owned and closed to visitors. From the street you can see the facade and the commemorative plaque mounted on it.

Where exactly is the palace located? Along the former Dioklecijanova street, between the Peristyle and the Iron Gate, within the walls of Diocletian's Palace.

Who owned the palace? It was the residence of the noble Cindro family, one of the patrician households of old Split.

How much time should you set aside? A few minutes is enough to take in the facade — it's a stop along the way between the Peristyle and the Iron Gate, not a destination in itself.