Palace of Diocletian, Split

Commissioned by Emperor Diolcetian and built in Split by the architects Filotas and Zotikos, the Palace of Diocletian is a well preserved Roman structure built in typical Roman military camp style. Emperor Diocletian lived in the Palace of Diocletian for only eight years until his death in 313. Following his death the Palace of Diocletian was used as an administrative center and the governor's residence.

Picture - A sphinx statue at the Palace of Diocletian in Split.

Picture - Arches of the Diocletian's palace in Split.

Picture - Split seen from the ocean with the tower of St Domnius.

View a slideshow of Palace of Diocletian Pictures

Three centuries, later in 615, the Palace of Diocletian was used as a refuge for the residents of Salona when their city was sacked by the Avars.

Originally the Palace of Diocletian was 215m / 705ft long, 180m / 590ft wide, and enclosed with thick walls up to 28m / 92ft high. On each corner was a tower and the Palace of Diocletian had four entrances, three of them of note: The Golden Gate, The Silver Gate, and the Iron Gate. Leading in from the gates on each side, two roads are laid out according to the Roman Cardo and Decumanus tradition.

Several notable attractions within the Palace of Diocletian are the Temple of Jupiter, Cathedral of St. Dominius, and the Peristyle.

The Palace of the Diocletian is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the top attractions in Croatia.

Related Attractions

Brace Radica Square

Brace Radica Square is a pleasant place to stroll in the Diocletian Palace. Located in the Southwest of the Diocletian Palace in Split, Brace Radica Square is a medieval square with three points of interest to the visitor.

All that remains of a Venetian castle at Brace Radica Square is the Marina Tower (Jrvojeva Kula) built in the 15th Century. It is located on the south side of Brace Radica Square. Dating from the 17th Century is the Milesi Palace. It is in the Baroque style and located on the Northern section of the square.

There is also a statue of Marko Marulic at Brace Radica Square. He is considered to be the founder of literature in the Croatian language. The statue was created by the famous Ivan Mestrovic who also designed his own house, now the Mestrovic Gallery.

Cathedral of St Domnius

The Cathedral of St Domnius (Katedral Sv. Duje), located within the original ancient area of the Palace of Diocletian, was originally Diocletian's mausoleum. Designed by Filotas and consecrated in the 7th century the Cathedral of St Domnius looks virtually the same today as it did when it was built. The only addition was a 60m / 197ft bell tower built in stages from the 12th to16th Centuries. The bell tower can be climbed and presents a great view of the Palace of Diocletian.

The Cathedral of St Domnius is laid out on an octagonal pattern and has a double line of columns, Corinthian in design, many of which are Roman originals. Features of note within the Cathedral of St Domnius are the Altar of St Domnius, and the 13th century hexagonal Romanesque stone pulpit.

Picture - Detail from St Domnius Cathedral in Split.

Picture - The tower of St Duje in Split.

Picture - Fireworks over the Saint Domnius Cathedral tower in Split.

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Baptistery of St John

The Baptistery of St John (Sv Ivan Krstitelj) in Split is centrally located inside the Palace of Diocletian and was consecrated in the 6th century. The building the Baptistery of St John is located in was originally a religious building for the Romans, the Temple of Jupiter.

Several features of note within the Baptistery of St John are the baptismal font with a panel representing King Zvonimir along with other dignitaries of the time. The carver Ivan Mestrovic added the stature of St. John on the end wall.

Two bishops have tombs within the Baptistery of St John, from the 8th century, Bishop John, and from the 11th century, Bishop Lawrence.

Museum of Split

Located within the Palace of Diocletian, the Museum of Split (Muzej Grada Splita) is notable for its fine location in the former Gothic Papalic Palace. This building is considered by many to be the finest of the 15th and 16th century buildings constructed in the open areas of the Palace of Diocletian. The Gothic Papalic Palace was built by the master Juraj of Dalmatia.

The museum, founded in 1946, is especially noted for its collection of books illustrating the history of the city of Split from the 12th to 18th Centuries. Also of interest to the visitor is the armory featuring weaponry from the 15th to 18th Centuries.

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