Communist Split: A Deep Dive into the History of Split under Communism

Discover the captivating history of Split under communism on a personalized small group tour. Explore the city’s political, industrial, and economic significance, and uncover fascinating stories and hidden gems.

Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Trg Franje Tuđmana - We will meet at the bus station on Trg (Square) Franje Tuđmana, where you will be briefed on the details of the Communist tour of Split. Here, you’ll also learn about significant events during World War II in Split and Yugoslavia that led to the formation of the new communist state. You will be shown photographs of the damage inflicted on Split during the war.
  • Poljud Stadium - We will make a brief panoramic stop to discuss the most beautiful stadium built during the communist era in Yugoslavia, which was also well-known internationally. Poljud Stadium, one of Split’s symbols, was constructed to host the Mediterranean Games, the largest sporting event in Yugoslavia at the time. It was a highlight of the Yugoslav architecture exhibition at MoMA in New York, underscoring its significance. At the same location, we will also focus on the widest building in Split, known as the “China Wall,” another example of Yugoslav socialist architecture.
  • Prodajni centar Koteks - As you walk around the “first shopping mall” in Yugoslavia, you’ll learn about the “modern” concept of shopping in the communist state. You’ll discover its brief popularity and subsequent decline over the years. Additionally, you’ll gain insights into Yugoslav consumer life, which balanced between the “open west” and the “closed east,” often requiring people to be creative in obtaining various goods.
  • Krstarica - Split 3 is a modern communist Yugoslav neighborhood designed to provide quality “living, working, and resting” spaces for its residents. It was a unique, high-quality project during the communist era in Yugoslavia, recognized globally as an example of well-planned modern neighborhoods. As we explore the different architectural styles by local architects who contributed to this project, such as the “Cruiser” building, you’ll learn about housing policy, the educational system, healthcare, the economy, social life, and politics, with a focus on the dictatorship of Yugoslav communist leader Tito, particularly through examples from the Split area. The Split 3 project was also a highlight of the Yugoslav architecture exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, recognized as one of the most important residential projects in Yugoslavia.

You will also have some free time at this location.

  • Split Predgrađe - At our final stop, Kopilica railway station, you’ll hear about some of the reasons why Yugoslavia failed to survive and why its end in the 1990s was violent and culminated in a bloody war. As you listen to the story, you’ll view an armored train on display, symbolizing the beginning of the violent end of Yugoslavia, which had significant consequences and altered the relationships between nations and religions in Southeast Europe once again.
What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Local Professional Licensed Guide With Master`s Degree in History
    - Carbonated beverages
    - In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Communist Tour of Split - Private & Exclusive is a private & personalized tour with a guided by a local professional historian and licensed guide with a Master`s degree in history.

On this Communist Tour of Split, I will guide you through the communist history of the city of Split which was one of the centers of politics, industry, economy, education, health system, tourism, etc. Communist Split, as one of the fastest-growing cities in communist Yugoslavia, is full of interesting stories, facts, and legends to which I will introduce you.

Stories, naturally, will be followed by relevant sights and interesting hidden gems of the communist history of Split which we will be discovering.

You will also have a chance to take a photo at the wheel of one of the Yugoslavian symbols, legendary Yugo!

Join me and find out about life in communist Split and Yugoslavia in a unique and interesting way in which active participation through everyone’s questions and opinions is welcomed!

Location
Autobusno stajalište Sv. Frane
Trg Franje Tuđmana
The meeting point will be at the bus station on the square Trg Franje Tuđmana. Square is surrounded by St. Francis church, Prokurative (Republic Square), and Riva Promenade. Pictures of Trg Franje Tuđmana are among the pictures of this experience.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
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(1 Rating)
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Companion14160511545
Dec 7, 2022
Different tour of Split with fantastic and very knowledgeable guide! High recommendation!! - We took this tour because we wanted to know more about communist period in Croatia and Split and how we were very interested in this matter we booked it as a private tour. We had our guide Boris with us and we were very happy about it because he is real expert. Boris is highly knowledgeable, not just about the history but everything related to it as well. On the tour you will see parts of the city which you want be able to see on regular tours and you go there by car or van. Boris also offered us to show some things which are ussually not part of the tour and how we were on private tour we could model it by ourselves. We truly enjoyed it and felt we learned a lot because the tour definitely changed our perspective on some things about communism in Croatia/Yugoslavia. We highly recommend this tour and especially with Boris as your guide! We cannot thank him enough for sharing his knowledge and for being such a pleasant company. Thank you so much Boris for everything!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 8 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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