Botanical for 'Spanish Broom'
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The term
Spalato is the Italian name for the city of Split, Croatia. It derives from the Latin word Spalatum, which itself is believed to originate from the Ancient Greek word Aspálathos (ἀσπάλαθος).
The Latin word Spalatum has a botanical meaning:
- It refers to a plant, likely the spiny broom or Spanish broom (Calicotome spinosa or Spartium junceum), which grew abundantly in the area.
- An alternative, though now considered less likely, historical theory suggested it came from a shortening of Salonae Palatium or simply Palatium, meaning "palace," in reference to Diocletian's Palace.
Today, Spalato is primarily recognized as the official Italian name for the modern city of Split.