Tourist board’s project presents Roman legionnaires on various locations around Diocletian’s Palace, but some moonlighting has appeared even before the official project resumed for 2016.
A breathtaking scenery of ancient squares in Split has become renowned for actors hired by the Split Tourist Board impersonating Roman legionnaires in the old Roman palace every summer for the past few years. On April 18. 2016, dalmatinskiportal.hr published the story about moonlighters taking over the squares, although the official project has not started yet for this season.
Roman soldiers are usually there all day, to add some decor to the palace, and are paid by the Tourist board. You can take photos of them, and enjoy the sight for free. In last few days, as Cruise boats started their berthing season in the Split Harbor, some young men have decided to take advantage of the absence of regulation in the matter, dressed up and took over the squares.
It already happened last year, even a brawl between the official and false “legionnaires” occurred, and it took police action to put the situation under control, but it seems the same will be necessary again this year. There is one association which takes care of promotion of the ancient culture called “The Legion of Diocletian” with all the required permits, but there are many more associations attempting to exploit the tourists in pre-season.
Tourist Board’s official project will resume on May 15, and one can hope that the matter will be regulated before that date, as it is an excellent idea, not to be spoiled by amateurs.
