October 30, 2019 – A new EU-funded project will help restore, valorize, and improve the UNESCO-protected historic center of Split and Diocletian’s Palace.
Splitski Dnevnik reports that the European Union’s Ministry of Regional Development and Funds announced a tender for proposals for the “Palace of Life, City of Changes Integrated Visitor Infrastructure Development Program of the Old Town and Diocletian’s Palace”, within the ITU Mechanism and Operational Program ”Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020 “.
The project is developed by the City of Split, along with partners, including the Split Tourist Board and the Split City Museum. The project’s total estimated value is HRK 23.8 million, of which HRK 18.2 million is available in EU funds.
The project is based on restoring, valorising, presenting and improving the UNESCO site and historic center of Split, with Diocletian’s Palace, including individually protected immovable cultural property, the Old Town Hall, and objects within the protected historic entity – like the Split City Museum and the southeast tower of Diocletian’s Palace, with the associated depots of the City Museum in the building at Lukačićeva 5 and the exit to the southern part of the eastern wall of the Palace. The project aims to integrate the sites into the function of sustainable development of the local community and present Split as a city of layered and vibrant cultural heritage.
Investments foreseen in the project include conservation, restoration, and construction works and furnishing the facilities above, as well as establishing modern installations that will present the history and development of Split. Thus, more than HRK 7 million will be invested in renovating and furnishing the Old Town Hall, more than HRK 2 million in renovating and furnishing the Split City Museum, and over HRK 5 million in the southeast tower with the associated premises at Lukačićeva 5 and part of the eastern wall of the Palace. Creating contemporary presentations is set at HRK 3 million.
The remainder of the investment is related to the project’s technical documentation, which includes a plan for sustainable visitor management, expert work supervision, training and workshops, visibility, setting up a ticket and visitor tracking system, designing authentic and creative souvenirs, wine and gastronomy products based on local and cultural heritage, and project management.
All of this will contribute to the development of new cultural and visitor infrastructure, relieve the most burdened localities of the old city center, and develop an awareness of the importance of preserving the heritage and its role in the sustainable development of the local community.
At the same time, following the call requirements and the indicators of the Operational Program for “Competitiveness and Cohesion”, the project will contribute to increasing the number of local and foreign visitors to the newly renovated cultural heritage sites and consequently contribute to the development of Split as a year-round cultural and tourist city.
Split Development Agency – RaST d.o.o. will accept tenders until November 28, 2019, and preparatory activities are already underway.
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