Cathedral of St. Domnius
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You are in front of the Cathedral of St. Duje, which was originally the imperial mausoleum of Emperor Diocletian, and in the 7th century was converted into a cathedral and dedicated to St. Duje, the bishop of Solin and a Christian martyr. It is a unique example of where a pagan tomb became a Christian church, without demolishing the original Roman building. The cathedral retains the shape of an ancient mausoleum – octagonal on the outside and circular on the inside, with a high barrel vault and a cornice of Corinthian columns made of marble. The interior is richly decorated and contains numerous artistic and historical elements. The most important elements of the cathedral include the wooden doors from 1214, which were carved by the master Andrija Buvina. The doors are carved with scenes from the life of Jesus Christ, divided into 28 panels. The cathedral also contains stone choir stalls from the 13th century, Gothic-Renaissance altars, marble reliquaries and a richly decorated main altar with the relics of St. Dujma. Behind the altar are the tombs of some of Split's archbishops, including the tomb of St. Arnirius. The cathedral also houses a sacristy, treasury and baptistery. The treasury houses valuable liturgical inventory, manuscripts, reliquaries, chasubles and goldsmith's works. The baptistery is located in the former Temple of Jupiter, a few meters from the cathedral itself. The bell tower of the Split Cathedral is one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. Its construction began in the 13th century, but lasted for centuries. The styles of construction changed over time - from Romanesque foundations to Gothic and Renaissance additions. The bell tower is about 57 meters high and is accessible to visitors for climbing. A staircase leads to the top, from which there is a panoramic view of the whole of Split, Diocletian's Palace, the sea and the surrounding islands. The Cathedral of St. Dujma is not only a religious building but also a museum and historical complex that testifies to the continuity of life in Split from Roman times to the present day. Visitors can tour the main church, bell tower, baptistery, treasury and underground spaces, and it is especially worth visiting in May, when the feast of St. Domnius, the patron saint of the city, is celebrated.