After surviving the climb to the top of the bell tower, we headed out and about to grab a snapshot of the sights of Split.
Artwork nestles against the ancient mellow stones while a shoal of rainbow fish wiggle tantalisingly for shoppers.
Bouganvilla blazes on every house and hides even the most broken down of ruins.
Ramshackle little back yards can be glimpsed through half open doors and peeling paint tempts the camera.
*Wikipedia interesting fact alert* The city draws its name from the spiny broom (calicotome spinosa; brnistra or žuka in modern Croatian), a common shrub in the area.
From abstract artworks to labryinthian alley ways that abruptly turn into shady courtyards full of ancient artifacts, balconies and greenery, the city has plenty of hidden delights.
Split is said to be one of the centres of Croatian culture and its literary tradition can be traced to medieval times. In recognition of its importance, in 1979, the historic center of Split was included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites.
There’s also a strip of beach where all the locals meet up to play the hectic game of Picigin – a ball game played in in shallow water.
Players stay in shallow water and hit the ball with the palm of their hand trying to keep it in the air for as long as possible.
This ensures plenty of hilarity as players belly flop into the water in a desperate attempt to keep the ball in the air.
