Thread: The Mausoleum of Diocletian, constructed during the Emperor’s lifetime to house his remains after death; strategically placed at the heart of his palace-fortress in Split, Croatia, c.305 AD. #Roman #archaeology #architecture #Croatia 
The first emperor to voluntarily abdicate the throne, Diocletian enjoyed a short but peaceful retirement at his purpose-built palace where he famously tended to his vegetable gardens. He died in 311 and was laid to rest in an elaborate porphyry sarcophagus in his great mausoleum.
The Emperor's remains were desecrated during invasions of the 7th century and his sarcophagus destroyed. Ironically, considering Diocletian's Christian persecutions, his mausoleum was consecrated as a Cathedral in 653; with an exquisite Romanesque style bell tower added in 1100.
The octagonal mausoleum now known as the Cathedral of St. Domnius still towers over modern-day Split; the former resting place of a ruthless Roman emperor, now the oldest cathedral in the world remaining in use, in its original un-renovated structure. #Christianity #Croatia
Seen here at dawn, the imposing mausoleum takes a prominent position at the intersection of the Roman cardo (north-south) and decumanus (east-west) roads, visible to all who entered Diocletian's palace. The impressive original width of the decumanus can still be seen here.
The exterior of the mausoleum was surrounded by an octagonal portico of 24 Corinthian columns, most of which survive; these supported a roof adjoining the main structure, marks of which are still clear, creating a covered ambulatory around the mausoleum.
The awe-inspiring interior of the mausoleum; circular in form despite the octagonal exterior. Eight monumental red granite Corinthian columns supporting another tier of eight smaller columns above, all supporting a great dome once adorned with gold mosaics.
The brick dome of Diocletian's mausoleum, c.305 AD, now the Cathedral of St Domnius - with a diameter of 13.4m or 44ft. #Roman #architecture
Light streams into the mausoleum of Diocletian; As well as being one of the oldest cathedrals in the world, it is also one of the smallest.
Lectern with marble eagle inside Diocletian’s Mausoleum, now the Cathedral of St Domnius, Split.
Surviving section of the original opus sectile Roman marble floor of the mausoleum, c.305 AD.
Intricate marble stonework in Diocletian's mausoleum, incorporating stone from Italy, Greece as well as a famed local white limestone from the nearby island of Brač, Croatia.
A Christian altar in Diocletian's mausoleum is actually a reused Roman sarcophagus showing Diana the huntress with her two hounds.
Diocletian flanked the entrance to his mausoleum with two granite sphinxes from Egypt, said to have been taken from the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose III - one of which still survives in-situ. The sphinxes were already over 1500 years old when brought to the Roman palace.
A final view of the sphinx to round off this thread on a remarkable ancient space and its many overlapping layers of history: Egyptian, Roman, early-Christian and medieval. #croatia #history #roman #art #architecture
