Golden Gate (Diocletian's Palace)
The Golden Gate, or "the Northern Gate", is one of the four principal Roman gates into the stari grad of Split. Built as part of Diocletian's Palace, it served as the main gate through which the Emperor entered the complex and was elaborately decorated to mark its status. Over the course of the Middle Ages, the gate was sealed off and lost its columns and statuary. It was reopened and repaired in modern times and now serves as a tourist attraction.
The Golden Gate (Porta Aurea) May 2018
Interior of The Church of Saint Martin with a view of the chancel screen (June 2013)
Reconstruction of the 5th century Porta Aurea
View of The Golden Gate ca. 1910, Photo by E. Hébrard and J. Zeiller, Spalato, le Palais de Dioclétien, Paris, 1912.
Diocletian's Palace is an ancient palace built for the Roman emperor Diocletian at the end of the third century AD, which today forms about half of the old town of Split, Croatia. While it is referred to as a "palace" because of its intended use as the retirement residence of Diocletian, the term can be misleading as the structure is massive and more resembles a large fortress: about half of it was for Diocletian's personal use, and the rest housed the military garrison.
View of the Peristyle (the central square within the Palace) towards the entrance of Diocletian's quarters
Reconstruction of Diocletian's Palace in its original appearance upon completion in AD 305 (viewed from the south-west)
The Romanesque bell tower of the Cathedral of Saint Domnius
View of the Peristyle in 1764, engraving by Robert Adam. The Peristyle is the central square of the palace, where the main entrance to Diocletian's quarters (pictured) is located.
