Overlooking the Peristyle, the piazza which once served as the courtyard from which Diocletian’s private quarters were entered, Split’s Cathedral was originally built to serve as Diocletian’s mausoleum. Seventh-century Christians threw his sarcophagus in the trash and turned the building into a church dedicated to St Domnius, a former bishop of Salona executed by Diocletian in 304 AD. Roman-era carvings can still be seen high up in the buildings ceiling, although there is a wealth of Christian art too, including some fine Renaissance-era tombs.

The Sphynx

Near the entrance to the cathedral is one of the stone sphinxes ordered from Egypt by Diocletian in order to decorate his palace. This is the sole sphinx left with its head more or less intact - the rest were beheaded by Christians eager to stamp out all remaining evidence of pagan cults.

The Baptistry

On the opposite side of the Peristyle a narrow alley leads to the former Temple of Jupiter, now the cathedral’s Baptistry, flanked by another of Diocletian’s (this time headless) sphinxes. Inside, the medieval baptismal font bears the earliest known representation of a Croatian king, holding aloft a cross while one of his subjects lies prostrate before him.

Practical Info

April - October: Monday - Saturday 08:00 - 20:00, Sunday 12:00 - 18:00

November - March: Monday - Saturday 09:00 - 17:00, Sunday 12:00 - 18:00

Tickets: €7