indeed, the "british encyclopedia" states that: "the monuments left in dalmatia by the romans are numerous and precious. they are chiefly confined to the cities; for the civilization of the country was always urban, just as its history is a record of isolated city-states rather than of a united nation. beyond the walls of its larger towns, little was spared by the barbarian goths, avars and slavs; and the battered fragments of roman work which mark the sites of salona, near spalato, and of many other ancient cities, are of slight antiquarian interest and slighter artistic value. among the monuments of the roman period, by far the most noteworthy in dalmatia, and, indeed, in the whole balkan peninsula, is the palace of diocletian at spalato. dalmatian architecture was influenced by constantinople in its general character from the 6th century until the close of the tenth. the oldest memorials of this period are the vestiges of three basilicas, excavated in salona, and dating from the first half of the 7th century at latest. then from italy came the romanesque. the belfry of s. maria, at zara, erected in 1105, is first in a long list of romanesque buildings. at arbe there is a beautiful romanesque campanile which also belongs to the 12th century; but the finest example in this style is the cathedral of trail. the 14th century dominican and franciscan convents in ragusa are also noteworthy. romanesque lingered on in dalmatia until it was displaced by venetian gothic in the early years of the 15th century. the influence of venice was then at its height. even in the relatively hostile republic of ragusa the romanesque of the custom-house and rectors' palace is combined with venetian gothic, while the graceful balconies and ogee windows of the prijeki closely follow their venetian models. in 1441 giorgio orsini of zara, summoned from venice to design the cathedral of sebenico, brought with him the influence of the italian renaissance. the new forms which he introduced were eagerly imitated and developed by other architects, until the period of decadence - which virtually concludes the history of dalmatian art - set in during the latter half of the 17th century. special mention must be made of the carved woodwork, embroideries and plate preserved in many churches. the silver statuette and the reliquary of st biagio at ragusa, and the silver ark of st simeon at zara, are fine specimens of italian jewellers' work, ranging in date from the 11th or 12th to the 17th century".