Split Synagogue 🇭🇷

Step into history at the Split Synagogue, an Orthodox Jewish place of worship nestled inside the ancient western wall of Diocletian's Palace. Originally built in the early 1500s by Sephardi Jews fleeing the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisition, it stands today as one of the oldest Sephardic synagogues still in active use. Located along Židovski Prolaz (Jewish Lane), this historic sanctuary offers a deeply moving window into centuries of resilience.

As you explore, you will learn about the long-standing Jewish presence in the region, which dates back to 1st-century Salona where artifacts like menorah-decorated ceramic oil lamps, pendants, and sarcophagus fragments were uncovered. The sanctuary's history reflects both prosperity—such as the legacy of 16th-century merchant Daniel Rodriguez—and tragedy, including the ransacking of religious scrolls by Italian Fascists during World War II and the losses suffered under the Nazis and Ustaše. Restored after the war and further renovated in 1996 and 2015, the building also serves as the local Jewish community headquarters.

You can also visit the historic 1573 Jewish cemetery on Marjan Hill, featuring 700 Sephardi-style tombstones, or the city's newer municipal cemetery at Lovrinac, which holds a Holocaust memorial.

What to see at Split Synagogue

• One of the oldest active Sephardic synagogues, built in the early 1500s
• Integrated directly into the ancient western wall of Diocletian's Palace
• Houses the active Split Jewish community headquarters
• Oldest Jewish cemetery on Marjan Hill featuring 700 Sephardi-style tombstones
• Ties to ancient 1st-century Salona artifacts, including menorah-decorated oil lamps

Visiting tips

Head up to Marjan Hill to see the 1573 Sephardi cemetery, where you can spot the entrance gate near a former mikveh inscribed with the Tziduk Hadin prayer.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Split Synagogue is easy to reach on Split’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Salona and Croatian National Theatre in Split. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Split travel guide.