Within the monumental Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Croatia, lies one of the best-preserved Roman temples in Croatia – the Temple of Jupiter. The structure was built at the turn of the 3rd and 4th centuries CE as part of the imperial complex for Emperor Diocletian, who, after his abdication, took up residence in his Adriatic residence.
The temple was dedicated to Jupiter – – the supreme god of Roman religion and divine protector of Diocletian. The building is distinguished by its richly decorated coffered vault and a monumental entrance flanked by columns. In front of the temple, an authentic Egyptian sphinx made of black granite, brought to Split from Egypt during Roman times, can still be seen.
In the Middle Ages, the temple was converted into a Christian baptistery, which allowed it to survive for centuries.
