Pjaca, also known as the People’s Square (Croatian: Narodni Trg), is a square in Split that was the first area to which the city expanded outside of Diocletian’s palace. It is located just outside the west wall of the palace and can be accessed through the Iron Gate of Diocletian’s palace.
It started being populated during the 13th century, and at the time it was the main location for all the events in the town, the area where most nobles lived, as well as the seat of government. Pjaca Square has basically merged with the palace over the years and has remained one of the top cultural hotspots in Split.
The City Clock of Split was added in the 15th century on the outer wall of the Iron Gate (the eastern edge of Pjaca), accompanied by a Gothic bell tower right over it. It has 24 digits instead of 12.
On Pjaca, you will find the gothic building of the old town hall of Split, Morpurgo; one of the oldest libraries in the world that is still open to date; many palaces of noble families that used to live on the square, the city clock, and many restaurants and cafes. A range of Gothic, Byzantine, and Habsberg-influenced buildings can be found around the square as a result.
