Temple of Jupiter, Split

In the western part of Diocletian's Palace, near the peristyle, is the Temple of Jupiter. It was built around the year 300 and became a baptistery of Saint John the Baptist in the sixth century. Before the entrance there is one of the twelve sphinxes brought from Egypt by the Emperor Diocletian.

The Temple of Jupiter was dedicated to Jupiter, the Roman Zeus, who was considered to be the emperor's "divine father." Parts of the Palace remained unfinished when Son of Zeus arrived unexpectedly after his hasty abdication. Reliefs of heroes and lesser gods are above the entrance. They are Victoria, Triton, Helios, Hercules, and Apollo.

The gods are followed by the saints. Sarcophagi of Ivan of Ravenna and Lovre, two early archbishops of Split, are inside the Temple. Saint John the Baptist makes his appearance in the form of a large bronze statue by Ivan Mestrovic. In the 11th century a Romanesque bell tower was installed over the vault.

In 1907 a few houses that were impinging on the sides of the Temple were demolished, freeing the Temple of attachments.