Cathedral of St. Domnius is one of the most monumental buildings in Split. Except for being an architectural masterpiece of art, the Cathedral is a real history book, featuring remains from the period of emperor Diocletian to today's era.

Split Cathedral bell tower
Split Cathedral bell tower

Split Cathedral location

The cathedral is located inside the Diocletian's Palace, in the old town, near the square called Split Peristyle. The Peristyle square is the central spot for all visitors of Split since it features the most beautiful architecture and the most preserved monuments. It is one of the most authentic attractions of Roman culture in the world.
It would be difficult to find a person which would not admire this amazing place.

There are five points of visitors interest related to the cathedral:

  • The Cathedral church (former Diocletian's Mausoleum)
  • Bell tower
  • Cathedral baptistery (former Temple of Jupiter)
  • Treasury (former Temple of Cybele)
  • Crypt of St. Lucy

All of these buildings are located across the Peristyle, with a distance of a few meters between each.

Split Peristyle
Split Peristyle
Entrance to the Cathedral
Entrance to the Cathedral

There are 4 types of tickets for the Cathedral, depending on how many locations of the Cathedral complex you want to visit. Here is the list:

  • Blue ticket (7 euro) includes 3 sites: The Cathedral, Crypt, Baptistery
  • Green ticket (10 euro) includes 3 sites: The Cathedral, Bell tower, Treasury
  • Red ticket (8 euro) includes 4 sites: The Cathedral, Crypt, Baptistery, Treasury
  • Purple ticket (11 euro) includes all 5 sites: The Cathedral, Crypt, Baptistery, Treasury, Bell tower

I would recommend you to go for the last one since all of the places have something interesting to see.

Like I said at the beginning, the Cathedral is a real small historical book.

It was built during the rule of Roman emperor Diocletian, who wanted to have his own mausoleum, which would become his grave.
The emperor expelled all the Christians, which were hiding on the nearby islands at that time. Some of them were killed and persecuted.

A few centuries after the death of Diocletian, the Christians returned back to Split. They moved out the sarcophagus of the emperor, and they put in the bones of martyr and bishop of Salona, St. Domnius, which is still today in the church. The building became the Cathedral soon.

There are many interesting architectural and painting pieces of art related to the building and its interior. I would point out the Cathedral door, which was built by Croatian artist Andrija Buvina. There are reliefs in the door depicting various events related to Christianity.

Andrija Buvina Door detail
Andrija Buvina Door detail

The bell tower was built later in Gothic style.
It may take some effort to reach the top of the bell tower, but once you are there, you will have a nice panoramic view of Split.

Climbing the bell tower
Climbing the bell tower
Split ferry port view from the bell tower
Split ferry port view from the bell tower

The Baptistery is the former temple of Jupiter. It was built at the end of the 2nd century by Diocletian.
When Christians returned back to Split, they converted the temple into a baptistery (in the 7th century). Inside the building, there are two anchorages of bishops of Split and the image of the coronation of the ancient Croatian king (It could be king Peter Kresimir or Demetrius Zvonimir).

The Cathedral treasury features many preserved sculptures and paintings which are related to the Cathedral's history.

View of Split from the Cathedral bell tower
View of Split from the Cathedral bell tower

Period April 1 - May 30 working days 7:30, 19:00 / Sunday: 08:00, 09:30, 11:00, 19:00 Period June 1 - September 30 working days 7:30 / Sunday: 08:00, 09:30, 11:00, 19:00 Period October 1 - March 31 working days 7:30, 18:00 / Sunday: 08:00, 09:30, 11:00, 18:00

Summer opening hours (June 1 - October 30): 08:00 - 20:00 / Sunday: 12:00 - 18:00
Winter opening hours (November 1 - June 1): 09:00 - 17:00 / Sunday: 12:00 - 18:00
The ticket office is open until 30 minutes before closing.
The Cathedral is closed on religious and public holidays.

Zvonimir Peran     2023-07-26

I enjoy Croatia, beautiful country with interesting places, history, culture, and people. I want you to enjoy it as well.
Contact me on email info@croatia-tourism.com, or using the form below.

Contact us

We will help you experience the best of Croatia.

Latest on Croatia Tourism


Top 5 things to do in Split

Split has become one of the top tourist spots in Croatia over the last few years. Many visitors from all over the world, young and old, have been enjoying its beaches, nightlife options, cultural attractions, restaurants and charming Mediterranean atmosphere. I will list the top 5 things that all visitors who come to Split for a day or more shoul...

Top 5 day trips from Split

Except for being one of the most famous Croatian tourist destinations, Split is a great base for those who like to explore multiple places during their vacation. The neighbourhood of Split abounds with destinations and activities of all kinds, from sightseeing cultural attractions to adrenaline sports such as rafting. I will list the top 5 da...

Primosten beaches

Primosten is known to be one of the most famous Croatian beach destinations. With kilometres of pebble and rocky beaches, featuring clean sea and beautiful panoramic sea views, Primosten as a beach destination will hardly leave anyone unimpressed.

Visit also


Split in October 2023

October's experience of Split is in many ways different from the previous three summer months: crowds are gone, the weather is fresh, beaches are half empty, and many nightlife spots are closed. But some travellers look for exactly this kind of experience. Especially couples may enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere in popular destinations that can be ...

Split Zoo - animals, location, and price

If you decide to spend a few days in Split, a good idea would be to visit the city zoo. You will have a chance to see and find out more about animals which are typical for Mediterranean culture. Some of them became a rarity and endangered species, while others are still commonly found in the villages of this region....

Split

Split, the second biggest Croatian city, is known for ancient sights, sandy beaches, and rich nightlife options. Alongside Dubrovnik, Split is the most important Croatian tourist destination, featuring millions of visits every year. Continue reading to find out the main beauties of Split that attract so many people to visit this interesting t...

Related content


Split in December 2021 | Christmas market in Split

December is a month of low tourist activity in Croatia. Most of the tours and excursions are paused till April or May. But for some people, this kind of quiet atmosphere is perfect for holidays and sightseeing. The weather in Croatia is not too cold, and with an average jacket, you can feel pretty comfortable. Not to mention that prices are much ...

Trogir experience in December 2021

If you are planning to travel these days, consider visiting Trogir, a small coastal town located only 20 kilometres away from Split. Whether you visit it as the main destination of your trip or just one-day excursion, Trogir will not leave you unimpressed.

New Year's Eve in Croatia

New Year's Eve in Croatia will be much more unusual than we were used to. Just like the last year, the most celebrated night will be different due to pandemics. Luckily for those who look for parties and fun, Croatia did organise events in open spaces, featuring famous singers, groups, and performers.