General Marmont Street

You’re now on General Marmont Street, Marmontova ulica in Croatian, one of Split’s main pedestrian arteries, linking the historic centre to the more modern part of the city. It’s known for its elegant façades, shops, galleries… and its lively atmosphere. But why “Marmont”? The name honours Auguste de Marmont, a French general under Napoleon. In the early 19th century, when Dalmatia was briefly occupied by Napoleonic troops, Marmont governed the region and set about modernising Split. He laid out this straight, European-style street in what was then a maze-like city, and even installed the first public street lamps, a small urban revolution at the time. Today, it’s the go-to street for stylish shopping, home to international brands, Croatian concept stores, cafés, jewellery shops, ice-cream parlours, and a few art galleries. It’s also a popular meeting spot for locals, who like to stroll here, coffee in hand, while browsing shop windows and people-watching. A little further along, you’ll spot a discreet yet remarkable building: a century-old former thermal spa. Built in 1903, its Art Nouveau façade is adorned with expressive metal sculptures of life-size human figures, typical of the Viennese Secession style. Once dedicated to treatments using sulphur-rich waters, the building is now a protected monument, a rare survivor of Split’s architectural and therapeutic heritage. We’ll be turning right at the next street to continue our route, but you might want to come back and enjoy a leisurely walk here after your visit.