After surviving the climb to the belltower we headed over to the Baptistry. The entrance was a very detailed stone structure. Two large green doors were closed and securely locked. This was unexpected since we paid extra just to be able to visit this. Luckily the ticket booth was close by so we went to inquire. Thinking that a refund was in order, we were surprised when one of the counter agents reached into a drawer and pulled out a very large key. She then walked with us to the door and unlocked it. She stood outside while we looked, took pictures and read the plaques. This building was originally the Temple to Jupiter build between 295 and 305 CE but it was converted from its Pagan origins to a christian baptistry in the 7th Century. The sarcophagi of a few Split Archbishops were outside the temple.
Perhaps the opening hours are written here in Latin but we could not read Latin.
Opening the doors
No holy water today
Achhh, I forgot to fill the pool
64 panels make up the barrel shaped ceiling
Each tile has a face that is expressing a human emotion
Anger at the outcome of a gladiatorial battle face
Just drank a shot of tequila face
Trying to remember a password face
Stubbing your toe face
Found a $20 in my jacket pocket face
The side of the pool shows the oldest representation of a Croatian king
Brass straps holding gthe sections together
Pegasus and the star
John the Baptist
Now baptizing customer #2
An Archbishop of Split lived here
Another Sphynx brought back from Egypt by vacationing Romans
Roman gods and heros are carved in the doorway
Closing up after us
A built in column
Everyone must pass through the gift shop to get out
A cool gate
It is hinged in the middle of the gate
Fringes
Example of the Roman mosaics
It even looks like it was woven
Leslie buys a hand painted silk scarf
A great purchase
Such a historical place
Grand buildings
Goodbye Split
