At the Diocletian's Palace, in the town of Split, Croatia

 Diocletian Palace is One Of The Most Impressive Roman Ruins.

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(In Split, Croatia) Diocletian's Palace is considered one of the most impressive Roman ruins still standing today. The palace was built as the retirement home for Emperor Diocletian -- one of the only Roman Emperors to choose to retire. It is located in the wonderfully beautiful old town of Split in Croatia. Split is famous for being the most beautiful coastal city in Croatia and is one of the best places to visit in the Adriatic. Split and Diocletian's Palace is also a place where ancient Roman history meets Game of Thrones (it was used as a filming location in the fourth season).

+ Diocletian's Palace was perhaps more of a fortress than a palace. Around half of the massive structure was used for Diocletian's personal use, while the rest was used to house the military garrison. (It was built as a heavily fortified compound.) Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site Since 1979, this palace was modeled on the Roman forts of the 3rd century. Taking up a prime harborside position, the extraordinary complex of Diocletian's Palace is also one of the most imposing ancient Roman structures in existence today, and it is where you will likely spend most of your time while in Split. Don’t expect a palace, though, nor a museum -– this is the city's living heart, its labyrinthine streets packed with people, bars, shops, and restaurants. Although it's easy to lose sight of the palace amid the bustle of Split's waterfront promenade, take time to step back and look up. The original arches and columns of the palace wall can be easily discerned above the shops and restaurants. It would have presented a great face to the sea, with the water lapping at the base of the walls. (It's not hard to see why Diocletian built his imperial apartments on this south-facing side of the palace, gazing directly out over the water.) Built as a combined imperial residence, military fortress, and fortified town, the palace has been added to continuously over the millennia, the alterations increasing the allure of this fascinating site. Diocletian -– the first Roman emperor to abdicate voluntarily – commissioned this magnificent palace to be completed in time for his retirement in 305 CE. It was built from lustrous white stone transported from the island of Brač, and construction lasted 10 years. (Diocletian spared no expense, importing marble from Italy and Greece, and columns and 12 sphinxes from Egypt.)

+ Each wall has a gate at its center that's named after a metal: the elaborate northern Between the eastern and western gates there’s a straight road (Krešimirova, also known as Decumanus), which separated the imperial residence on the southern side, with its state rooms and temples, from the northern side, once used by soldiers and servants. (There are 220 buildings within the palace boundaries, home to about 3000 people.) The Bronze Gate once opened from the water into the palace basements.