The Temple of Jupiter is truly a case of size doesn’t always matter! Although the Temple is incredibly small, it packs a near 1700 year history.
Touted as being one of the best preserved temples of it’s kind in the world, it is worth the 5 minutes to see it. Especially if you understand a little of the history before hand. So here’s a quick breakdown… Take the time to read the short sign to get a better understanding of the history in this small room.
Baptistery of St. John (Temple of Jupiter) in Split Croatia
Diocletian
Diocletian was the Roman Emperor from 284-305 AD and was the only Emperor to give up the Roman Empire. He wanted to live out the remainder of his life close to his birthplace. And you guessed it, he was born in a little village just outside of modern day Split. So Diocletian abdicated and had a grand palace built with everything he would ever need. Including his Temple.
The God of Jupiter
Jupiter was the God of Sky and Thunder and considered to be the King of all Gods during pagan times. So it’s no surprise that Diocletian was convinced he was the reincarnation of Jupiter himself.
Diocletian’s Palace
Since Diocletian was the Roman Emperor for 20 years it was only fitting he build his own palace. The palace has evolved over time but is also very well preserved. Hallways have become streets and rooms have become cafe’s and shops. This evolution created the elaborate area now called Old Town Split.
There were three Temples build within Diocletian’s Palace. Unfortunately only one remains today, The Temple of Jupiter.
Baptistery of St. John (Temple of Jupiter) in Split Croatia
The Temple of Jupiter
The Temple of Jupiter is a very small building and it only takes about 5 minutes to see all there is to see. But if you look closely, it is impressive.
At the entrance sits a damaged sphinx. The sphinx that guards the Temple is dated to 1500 BC. Diocletian was fascinated with Egyptian artifacts and brought many to his palace. Unfortunately, the sphinx was damaged by the Christians because it represented a pagan god. As you can see below, the head has been completely chiseled away.
Baptistery of St. John (Temple of Jupiter) in Split Croatia
Diocletian’s Crypt
Diocletian had the Temple built on a raised pedestal to allow room for a crypt. I imagine he felt it was his rightful place to be interred in this crypt since he thought he was indeed The God of Jupiter.
Your Unguided Tour
Memorialized within the Temple are the sarcophagi and remains of two of the Archbishops of Split. Ivan (John I) who died 642 AD and Lovre who died 1099 AD.
Baptistery of St. John (Temple of Jupiter) in Split Croatia
The vaulted ceiling is covered with beautiful carvings but no one seems to know or understand them. Each square has a face carved in it which seems to depict different human emotions. Some of the carvings have perished but the detail is impeccable.
Baptistery of St. John (Temple of Jupiter) in Split Croatia
There is a large bronze statue of John the Baptist in the center of the temple. This statue is not old, but it sits where the statue of Jupiter would be.
Many of the statues and ornaments have been removed over time. In the 5th century, when the Christians took over the area, the temple was used as a church. These changes over time have made it virtually impossible to know exactly what treasures may have been in the Temple before.
What we do know is Diocletian was notorious for persecuting the Christians. Understandably, the Christians took every opportunity to remove his pagan gods and references and promote Christianity openly and freely.
Have you been to the Temple of Jupiter in Split? Aren’t these carvings amazing?
Baptistery of St. John (Temple of Jupiter) in Split Croatia
