Jupiter's Temple, Split Travel Guide

Jupiter's Temple, located in the western section of Diocletian's Palace, stands as a testament to Split's layered past. Constructed between 295 and 305 AD, during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, the temple was dedicated to Jupiter, the supreme Roman god and Diocletian's patron deity. The temple's architecture reflects traditional Roman design, featuring a rectangular layout and a portico supported by columns. The facade boasts intricate carvings depicting scenes from Roman mythology.Over the centuries, the temple has undergone several transformations. With the spread of Christianity, it was converted into a baptistery dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Today, visitors can explore the temple's interior, where a baptismal font from the 13th century resides. One of the temple's unique features is a headless sphinx, brought from Egypt by Emperor Diocletian, which stands guard at the entrance.The temple's barrel-coffered vault influenced Dalmatian early Renaissance art. Scottish architect Robert Adam considered Jupiter's Temple one of Europe's most beautiful monuments. Today, the Temple of Jupiter is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Diocletian's Palace.