Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Christian carvings) was once the cathedral's high altar. To the left of today's main altar is
the impressively detailed, Renaissance-era altar of St. Anastasius, who is lying on a mill-
stone that is tied to his neck. On Diocletian's orders, this Christian martyr was drowned in
A.D.
302. To the left of St. Anastasius' altar is the “new” altar of St. Dominus; his relics
lie in the 18th-century Baroque silver reliquary, above a stone relief showing him about to
be beheaded. Posthumous poetic justice: Now Christian saints are entombed in Diocletian's
mausoleum...and Diocletian is nowhere to be found. As you exit through the 13th-century
maindoors,noticethe14panelsoneachofthetwowings—showing28scenesfromthelife
of Christ.
Exiting the church, you'll see the entrance to the
bell tower
on your right. Climbing the
183 steep steps to the top of the 200-foot-tall bell tower rewards you with sweeping views
of Split, but it's not for claustrophobes or those scared of heights.
To visit the
crypt
(kripta),
also included with your ticket, exit the main door of the
cathedral, go down the stairs, and loop left to find its low-profile entrance. This musty,
domed cellar (with eerie acoustics) was originally used to level the foundation of
Diocletian's mausoleum. Later, Christians turned it into another chapel, dedicated to the
Italian Saint Lucia, who was martyred by Diocletian. (The legend you'll likely hear about
Diocletian torturing and murdering Christians in this very crypt, which began about the
