No, this isn't the basement, I just came out of the city to get my bearings and take in this lovely piazza where you can sit and take overly expensive refreshments, which is why it is largely empty. From here one goes onto the waterfront (the Riva) and enters the old city again by the bronze door.
Anyway, as I have said, not much of Diocletian's Palace remains in its original form above ground. However, below ground, the so-called basement is extensive, and would have mirrored the form of the palace above. It is empty, and as their is an admission charge, no tour groups venture down here. It is also lovely and cool when it is hot above.
Below is an artist' impression of the Palace when built. Note that the front, including the bronze gate, was then accessed only by water, not a dry embankment as now Apart from the walls the only remaining obvious sight is the octagonal mausoleum.
As you can see, they have not exactly filled the place with exhibits. Indeed it was apparently unexplored and just filled with debris right up until the 1950s. Now t is used for modern art exhibitions.
If this looks like a cobweb, that's because it is, albeit a wire one. Yes modern art.
No this isn't modern art; it was part of an oil press
There is one small part which although below street level is open to the sky, giving a nice relief to the underground feel. And home inevitably to some cats.
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