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Imago Dalmatiae. Itinerari di viaggio dal Medioevo al Novecento

Spalato

"Spálato, the ancient Aspalathos, Slav. Spljet, with 20,000 inhab., the seat of a bishop, lies picturesquely encircled by lofty hills (to the N. the Kozjak, to the E. the Mosor), in a fertile region, on a peninsula washed by the N. side by Canale Catelli, and on the S. side by the Canale di Spalato. To the E. roses the Fort Grippi, to the W. the Monte Marian (584 ft.). The town owes its name to a great palace (palatium) of Diocletian, within the precints of which [...] a great part of the old town is built, and around which have sprung up the suburbs of Lucac on the E., Manus and Pozzobon on the N., and Borgo Grande on the W. [...] The palace, in outline like a Roman castrum, formed a little world of its own, with its temples, halls, living-rooms, baths, barracks, offices, etc., bust must have worn the prison-like air on a autocrat's castle, similar to the Escurial or the papal castle of Avignon. The style is a feeble imitation of the Greek yet, with all their defects, it must be admitted that the buildings produce an impression of grandeur (pp.297-298). [...] The environs of Spalato afford several beautiful walks. The lofty churchyard of San Stefano, with its interesting tombstones, lies in the S.W. angle of the harbour (20 min.). - A stony road to the W. ascends the (3/4 hr.) Monte Marian (584 ft.); extensive panorama from the top. - The monastery of Santa Maria dei Paludi is reached by the road to the N. of the Marmontow Trg. After 1/4 hr. we diverge to the left. (The road straight on leads to the Barcagno)" (p. 299).