salona

Salona was an ancient city on the eastern Adriatic coast, located near the modern town of Solin in Croatia, just north of Split. The site sits along the Jadro River and shows a long history of settlement beginning in antiquity, with Liburnian and later Greek and Roman influences. After the Roman conquest, Salona grew into a major urban center and became the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia. In the Roman period it developed a substantial public complex that included a forum, basilicas, baths, an amphitheater, and a theatre, as well as city walls and necropoleis. It also became an early Christian center, hosting basilicas and a bishopric.

In late antiquity, Salona faced repeated invasions by Avars and Slavs. In the 7th century much of the city was destroyed or abandoned, and the inhabitants relocated to coastal settlements, giving rise to nearby Spalatum, the early nucleus of Split. By the Middle Ages Salona lay largely in ruins.

Today Salona is an important archaeological site and park. Excavations have revealed extensive remains of its urban layout and public buildings, as well as necropoleis and fortifications, providing insight into Roman provincial life. The site is protected as Croatian cultural heritage, with fragments displayed in regional museums and ongoing study by archaeologists. The modern town of Solin preserves the name and serves as a reminder of the ancient city’s place in the region’s history.