Sustipan Park

The Sustipan Park, located on the promontory southwest of the port of Split, is a place steeped in history and natural beauty. This green park, overlooking the Adriatic Sea, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and the surrounding islands, making it a favorite destination for both locals and tourists. The Sustipan area has an ancient history dating back to late antiquity. Initially, there was a paleochristian basilica here, which was later transformed into a Benedictine monastery in the Middle Ages, known as “San Stefano sotto i Pini”. This monastery was of great importance during the Kingdom of Croatia period, also serving as a resting place for some Croatian kings. However, the monastery was abandoned in the 14th century and fell into ruin in the 18th century. In the 19th century, Sustipan became Split’s first municipal cemetery. Designed as an elegant cemetery, it was considered one of the most beautiful in Croatia. However, during the communist regime in the 1950s, the cemetery was destroyed and the remains were transferred to the new Lovrinac cemetery. This demolition is still considered one of the great “culturicides” in the modern history of Split, as many artistically significant tombs were lost. Today, Sustipan is a peaceful park where visitors can stroll among the pine trees, enjoy the view, and reflect on the history that permeates this place. One of the most distinctive elements of the park is the neoclassical gloriette, a pavilion that is all that remains of the 19th-century cemetery. This pavilion, with its elegant architecture, is a popular meeting point and a beloved photographic subject for visitors, especially during sunset, when the park is tinged with warm and golden colors. From a political and social perspective, Sustipan is a symbolic place that reflects the historical and cultural changes of Split. The transformation from monastery to cemetery, and finally to public park, testifies to the city’s ability to adapt and reinvent itself, while preserving respect for the past. The decision to destroy the cemetery in the 1950s left a scar in the city’s collective memory, but the creation of the park allowed Sustipan to be reborn as a symbol of beauty and resilience. Despite the transformations it has undergone, Sustipan retains traces of its past. The remains of the medieval church and the paleochristian basilica add a historical dimension to the park, inviting visitors to reflect on the region’s rich cultural heritage. These archaeological remains are a valuable link to past eras, offering insights to better understand Split’s historical roots.