paulinette
a tribute to Saint Apollinaris
The eastern gate of Diocletian's palace, which is called the Silver Gate, was a tribute to Saint Apollinaris, a saint who was around at the beginning of Christianity throughout the Mediterranean region. The imperial palace was converted, during the late antiquity, probably during the 6th Century, into a church where St. Apollinaris supposedly protected, with his fantastic powers, the city from invasions, and people entering the palace grounds. A part of the walls and the door were incorporated into the structures of the different buildings around. This was the case for example of the Church of the Holy Innocents, which was later destroyed during the Second World War.
Through the silver door, we enter the heart of the palace, towards the mausoleum, the peristyle and the underground, the ancient public baths of the city. On the other side of the door there was a vegetable market. It is not accessible if you come on public transport or car, when visiting you have to go through the gateway to enter.
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