Church of Saint Martin, Split

Hiding in a tiny guard space above the Golden Gate Of Diocletian's Palace is the church of Saint Martin. Currently managed by the Dominican sisters, it is famous for its 11th century chancel screen. The church is open to visitors for a nominal fee. The space became a mini-church sometime in the sixth century during an inundation of refugees.

Churches similar to Saint Martin's exist or did exist over the Silver gate, Iron Gate, and Bronze Gate. The main altar dates from the ninth century. In the 14th century the Church made a settlement for Dominican sisters who care for Saint Martin's.

In 1929 a tablet was found in one of the closed up windows. It bore the inscription, "The unworthy servant, priest Dominic..." It was theorized this might be the gravestone of Dominic, but no remains have been found.

Just as one Gate had niches for the successors in empire, the other gates came to honor saints. Saint Theodore was for the West Gate, Saint Apollinaris for the East Gate, and Saint Julian for the South Gate.

The altar screen is of marble. the screen is covered with depictions of grape vines and griffins. On the wall is an inscription marking the patronage of the Virgin, Saint Gregory, the Pope and Saint Martin.