Mausoleum of Diocletian

The Mausoleum in Diocletian’s Palace is located at the intersection of two major roads (cardo and decumanus) within Diocletian’s palace itself and borders the palace’s peristyle. The mausoleum is made out of limestone and marble that are sourced from the quarries at Brač and other locally sourced materials. The entire palace complex is reported to have begun construction in 295 CE in preparation for Diocletian’s retirement but it still was not complete when Diocletian abdicated in 305 CE. The mausoleum is octagonal in shape complete with a dome and is13.35 meters in diameter and 21.5 meters in height. It was decorated with glass mosaics, friezes depicting hunting scenes, and portraits of Diocletian and his wife, Prisca. Diocletian’s body was laid to rest in the center of the mausoleum in a porphyry sarcophagus. The mausoleum was converted into a church in the 7th c. CE, and is now known as the Cathedral of St. Domnius. A bell tower was later added in the 12th century and a choir was added in the 17th century.