Diocletian's Fishpond in Nečujam – A Roman Site Hidden in the Shallow Waters of Piškera Bay

Diocletian's Fishpond is located in Piškera Bay, one of the smallest and most deeply recessed bays within the larger Nečujam Bay. It is not a landmark visible from the road like a church or an old stone house. The most significant part of the site is underwater, at the entrance to the small bay, so many visitors pass by unaware that they are looking at the remains of a structure nearly two thousand years old.

In Nečujam, it is commonly referred to as Diocletian's Fishpond, a name used by the Šolta Municipality, tourism and media sources, as well as project documentation related to the site's protection. However, it is important to distinguish what is archaeologically confirmed from the stories passed down through generations. It is reliably confirmed that there was a large ancient fishpond, or Roman piscina vivaria, intended for the storage and breeding of live fish. Direct evidence that the fishpond personally belonged to Emperor Diocletian has not yet been found. Therefore, it is most accurate to say that it is a Roman fishpond known as Diocletian's Fishpond.

The name Piškera is associated with the Latin word piscina, meaning pool or fishpond. In antiquity, almost the entire end of the bay was separated from the open sea by a large stone wall. In the middle of the wall, there was a passage about three meters wide, closed by a special barrier that allowed seawater to flow in but prevented fish from escaping. This way, live fish could be kept in the naturally sheltered and shallow bay until needed by the residents of the nearby villa or for supplying other places.

The remains of the wall and embankment are now submerged, but they can still be discerned beneath the surface in calm waters. The site extends approximately 70 by 10 meters, with a depth of about three to five meters in the area. The waters in Piškera are generally calm, currents are weak, and visibility is good, making the wall best seen on sunny days when there are no waves and when viewed from above or with the aid of a diving mask. Diving is permitted, but the remains must not be touched, moved, or anchored upon, as it is a protected underwater archaeological site.

Next to the fishpond, there was also a Roman villa, likely of the villa maritima type, which is a rural-economic structure connected to the sea. Archaeological literature states that the villa was located right next to Piškera, but it has not yet been systematically researched. Such villas were not only places of rest for wealthy owners. They managed agricultural estates, wine and oil production, fishing, maritime traffic, and the supply of ships and surrounding settlements. In the immediate hinterland of Nečujam, there are fertile areas suitable for vineyards and olive trees, so the location by a safe bay also had economic significance.

The connection of the site with Diocletian is primarily based on local tradition, the time of the fishpond's creation, and its proximity to Split, where the emperor built his palace in the early 4th century. Šolta documents and tourist interpretations mention that Diocletian stayed in Nečujam and used the bay as a fishpond, and sometimes baths are also mentioned. However, archaeological sources speak more cautiously about the Roman fishpond and note that the bay is popularly referred to as Diocletian's Fishpond. Therefore, it is best to retain the well-known name for the article, but not to assert that Diocletian's ownership is indisputably proven.

Visiting today is much simpler than before. Around Piškera Bay, there is a themed walking path approximately 400 meters long, built as part of the project "Eco Šolta – Below and Above." During the project, the seabed was cleaned, the coast was arranged, and access to the site was improved. The path follows the calm edge of the bay and allows views of the submerged wall from multiple points, while interpretive signs help visitors understand what lies beneath the surface of the sea.

Piškera is about one and a half kilometers from the main part of Nečujm and the central beach. It can be reached on foot, by bicycle, scooter, or car via the local road through the settlement. Walking is more pleasant outside the hottest part of the day, as the route includes ascents and descents through the rugged part of Nečujm. Accommodation facilities in the bay indicate a distance of about 1.5 kilometers to the center and shops, which is a good framework for planning your visit.

There is no large public parking area near the bay. Space is limited, the road is narrow in places, and some areas near houses are used by local residents and accommodation guests. It is best to leave the car in a safe widening without blocking access and pathways to houses, and continue the last part on foot. During the main season, a scooter, bicycle, or walking from Nečujm is more practical.

No entrance ticket or specific opening hours are required for viewing, as the site is observed from the public shore and path. The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon when the sun is at a favorable angle, making the underwater wall more visible. For a closer look, a mask and snorkel are useful, but do not enter among the moored boats or swim through their passage. The bay has local moorings, and the central opening through the ancient wall must remain passable for smaller vessels.

Diocletian's Fishpond is not a spectacular site in the classical sense. There are no high walls, large columns, or restored Roman rooms. Its value lies precisely in the fact that the original structure is still located where it was in antiquity – between land and sea. When the line of the stone wall beneath the surface is recognized from the shore, it becomes clear that the calm Piškera Bay is not just a place for swimming and mooring boats, but one of the most interesting traces of Roman life on Šolta.