Solin is a city in Croatia, in Split-Dalmatia County, seat of the city of Solin. It is located in Dalmatia, 8 km northeast of Split. The Jadro River flows through it. In 2011, it had 20,212 inhabitants.In the 20th century, the industrialization of neighboring Split caused Solin to become its suburb. Today, it is part of the Split conurbation. Administratively, however, it is a separate city. In recent years, due to several interesting archaeological discoveries, its importance as a tourist attraction has increased. One of the city’s landmarks is the characteristic bank of the Jadro River.
- A good place to start is the large car park near the Salona snack bar. Manastirine, a fenced area behind the car park, originally outside the ancient city, was the burial place of the first Christian martyrs. The most interesting are the remains of a cemetery and a fifth-century basilica. Tusculum, rising above Manastirine, is an archaeological museum with interesting sculptures in the walls and garden. The Manastirine and Tusculum complex is part of an archaeological reserve, which can be visited from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- A cypress-covered path leads south to the northern part of the Solin city walls. Note the aqueduct running along the inner side at the base of the walls. The ruins visible from the walls were once the center of religious life for early Christians. It included a three-nave cathedral from the 5th century and a small baptistery with columns in the center. Public baths adjoin the cathedral on the eastern side.
- To the southwest stands the eastern city gate, Porta Caesarea, later absorbed by the city as it expanded in all directions. In the gate you can still see the ruts in the stone road left by the ancient chariots.
- Walking west along the city walls, after about 500 m you reach the Basilica of Kapljuc, standing on the right, another resting place of martyrs. At the western end of Salona is a large amphitheatre from the 2nd century, destroyed only in the 17th century by the Venetians, who did not want it to serve as a place of refuge for Turkish invaders.
- You can reach Solin by car, bus, train, or plane. The international airport Split is located right next to Solin. The ruins of the city can be reached by city bus #1, which goes to the snack bar Salona, every 30 minutes from Trgu Republike in Split. Bus #16 also passes through Solin, but you have to get off at the road to Senja and the city walls, and then walk along the old road for about 1 km to the snack bar.
