A photo of two ladies walking on the Riva (Promenade)

From the very beginning Split’s seafront (Riva) became a great promenade and a traditional meeting place for all citizens of Split, not only for the gentry, but also for the poorer citizens of the suburbs.

Walking on the promenade, Gentlemen would wear top hats every day and not just on special occasions. The bowler hat with its round surface, was ranked second in honour, right after the top hat. They were worn by judges, doctors, priests and landowners. Ladies, on the other hand, would wear silk parasols (lumbrelina) and often a silk or feather fan(ventula).