Diocletian's Cellars

The cellars of Diocletian's Palace are an impressive example of Roman engineering ingenuity. They were built at the turn of the 3rd and 4th centuries as a massive supporting structure for the residence of the Roman emperor Diocletian. The layout of the cellars precisely follows the layout of the upper halls, thanks to which the cellar spaces enabled the preservation of the palace through the centuries even after the upper parts of the urban core began to take on the shape of medieval Split. The cellars served primarily as storage spaces for food, wine, oil and other necessities necessary for the daily life of the palace. Archaeological research has confirmed the discovery of ancient wine and oil presses and a water drainage system, which clearly testifies to the logistical and organizational role of the cellars. Imperial treasures were also kept in this very place, which speaks of the wealth and power of Diocletian in his time. It is interesting to note that throughout history the cellars were often neglected or turned into landfills, and systematic archaeological research only began in the 20th century. Numerous valuable finds have been found, such as Roman coins, sculptures and ancient installations. At one point in the recent past, local residents even used the cellars as wine cellars. The cellars gained particular popularity in the early 21st century when they were used as an impressive backdrop in the popular series Game of Thrones. It was in these spaces that scenes from the slave-owning city of Meereen were filmed, making Diocletian's Palace an even more globally recognizable symbol of history and popular culture. Walking through these corridors means literally stepping into the world of ancient Rome, but also into the fantastic world of Westeros.