So, there I was, Split, 2012. All I know about this city is what I have gleaned through coursing over the walks and step with my Solomons. I have only enjoyed one place in all of my travels as much as this one, and that place was called Palermo. Palermo and Split are both coastal cities, both are accessible by rail, tire, air or ship. They each have a collection of friendly stray cats, salty sea air, and excellent sea food for a good price. Neither Palermo nor Split draw the big crowds from the States and if one were going to visit only one city in either Italy or Croatia, it probably wouldn’t be either of these smaller, less publicized port towns.
Near the Church of St. Francis or Crkva Svetog Frane as its known in Croatian, there is a beginning to a great stair case. 110 steps up the hillside is a cafe called Burn, from which there is a commanding view of the harbor where the cruise ships come and go from as near by as the Croatian island of Solta, and as far as the Italian coastal city of Ancona which is a port with services to Durres and cities in Greece as well.
There is a relatively steep incline after the cafe which does not have steps, but has been designed for wheelchair accessibility. At its terminus is a small stone church called St. Nicholas.
Another 185 steps will bring you to the zoo. The terrain, a hillside consisting mostly of rugged salt-stone, provides a beautiful venue as well as a good environment for the animals there. At 8:30 in the morning I was the zoo’s only patron.
The animals seemed healthy, energetic, and well cared for.
Beyond the zoo, between stair cases is a bit of flat land with a park. The dry wild pines and laurels stand for shade all around, giving the air a pleasant scent. Two great cages have been put up to house 7 meter-square stands of lavender and rosemary. Park benches are scattered throughout to offer rest, and nearby there is also a small, tiered, amphitheater for the staging of intimate performances. A sculptor has chained together a collection of varnish-sealed raw wood, de-limbed pines into giant organic shapes which invite you to inspect, admire or climb them.
Lastly is a 314 stair incline to the top of the Marjan park’s great hill. From there it is possible to see all three of Split’s harbors, the stadium, and the beaches set aside for swimming and small pleasure crafts.
There are so many things to see in this world, so many places to go and find more of God’s blessings to the children He loves. Today I will be taking a bus to Slovenia. I have heard great things about that tiny country. I will remember Split with a rare fondness, and I hope to share more of what I found here with you when I see you again. Love,
Joshua
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