Beneath the south wing of the palace lies a perfectly preserved set of huge vaulted halls, built to carry the emperor's private apartments above and to hold wine, oil and supplies. The cellars mirror the plan of the rooms overhead, so walking through them is the quickest way to grasp how the palace was laid out. Later centuries used the halls as rubbish dumps, which ironically preserved the structure. Restoration in recent decades reopened a large part of the western and eastern halls, and a central passage connects the Riva with the Peristyle, lined with souvenir stalls. Some halls hold temporary exhibitions, and in one, traces of an ancient oil and wine press were found. Television fans know the space as the dungeons and halls of Meereen in Game of Thrones, and the cavernous rooms make the filming choice obvious. The cellars are operated by the Museum of the City of Split and are one of the few palace sights where the stonework is exactly as the Romans left it, with no later buildings stacked on top.
Visiting is simple. The usual entrance is from the Riva through the Brass Gate, and a second route runs down a staircase from the Peristyle. The hall system is not large, and most people see it in half an hour, but the scale of the barrel vaults and the light slanting from the old windows are the point. Information panels explain the original use of each section, and a scale model helps picture the palace above.
Hours matter. For the winter season, from November to late March, the cellars are open daily from nine to five, with last entry thirty minutes before closing. They close on a few public holidays, so check the venue's price and hours page before you go on those dates. A standard adult ticket costs roughly ten euros, with a family ticket and reductions available, and visits outside opening hours cost more.
The cellars work best as the first stop on a palace day. Go in the morning when the halls are quietest, climb the stairs to the Peristyle, and continue to the cathedral. Skip the souvenir passage if you are in a hurry, and look instead for the information boards about the palace plan. If you take a walking tour of the palace, ask whether the cellars are included, because most guides cover the outside of the palace but not the paid interiors.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk through vaulted Roman halls under the palace, entered from the Riva or from a staircase near the Peristyle.
Best time
Opening time, before groups arrive, or the last hour before closing.
How long
Half an hour for the main halls, an hour if you read every panel and see the exhibitions.
Tips
Winter hours are daily nine to five with last entry thirty minutes before closing; closed on a few holidays. Wear a light jacket, since the halls are cool.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who wants to see Roman stonework untouched by later buildings, and Game of Thrones fans.
- Families
- Short, atmospheric and sheltered from rain, so children cope well, though the floors are uneven.
- Couples
- A quiet, cool break in a day of walking, best with a coffee on the Peristyle afterward.
- Pair with
- The Peristyle, the cathedral bell tower and a walk along the Riva.
- Time needed
- Thirty to sixty minutes.
Good questions
Where is the entrance to the cellars?+
Most visitors enter from the Riva through the Brass Gate on the south front. You can also reach the cellars by a staircase from the Peristyle if you are already inside the palace.
Are the cellars open in winter?+
Yes. Between November and late March they are open daily from nine to five, with last entry thirty minutes before closing. A few days are closed, including 18 November and the Christmas holidays.
How much does it cost?+
A standard adult ticket costs roughly ten euros, with reductions for students, seniors and families. Visits outside normal opening hours cost extra.
Can I see the cellars on a walking tour?+
Some tours include them and many do not, since entry is paid separately. Ask the guide before booking, or visit on your own either before or after the walk.
Is it worth it for Game of Thrones fans?+
Yes. The halls were used for scenes set in Meereen, and the huge vaulted rooms look much like the screen versions. Even without the show, the preserved structure is the best view of the palace plan.
