Jupiter's Temple - Baptistery, in the Diocletian's Palace (Split, Croatia)

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The Temple of Jupiter (Jupiterov hram, in Croatian) is located in the southwestern part of Diocletian's Palace, being built in tghe same time with it (295-305). The Peristyle, acting as an inner courtyard, connects the most important buildings of the Palace: to the south, the emperor's apartments, to the east the Mausoleum of Diocletian, and opposite, to the west, the Temple of Jupiter. Diocletian built this temple because Jupiter was "his spiritual father" and the main Roman god. During his reign (284-305) Diocletian ordered the harshest persecution against Christians (the Great Persecution), the worship to Jupiter becoming mandatory throughout the empire. As we know, Diocletian's persecution was unsuccessful, and even more so, Roman temples were converted into Christian churches. This also happened with Diocletian's Palace. Thus, in the seventh century, the Mausoleum of Diocletian, meant to glorify the emperor over the centuries, was transformed into a church (cathedral) dedicated to St. Domnius, one of the anti-Christian persecution. Also, in the 7th (or 6th) century, the Temple of Jupiter was transformed into a church, more precisely into a baptistery dedicated to St. John the Baptist (Krstionica Sv. Ivana). Except for the porch at the entrance, which has disappeared, the temple has been well preserved. Visitors have the opportunity to see the harmony that exists between the bas-relief at the entrance representing Roman gods and heroes, with the baptismal font (baptistery) located in the middle of the temple. This fountain is built of plaques brought in the 13th century from an altar located in the Cathedral. On one of the plates is represented the coronation of an old Croatian king. An alleged statue of Jupiter is said to have been taken to Venice in the 14th century. The most interesting part of the former temple is the semi-cylindrical vault composed of 64 coffers (plates). Each coffer represents a rosette, with a human figure in the center that conveys a certain emotion. The significance of these human figures and expressions is unknown.