Vestibule, Split

The Vestibule, also known as The Rotonda or The Atrium, is the first section of the imperial corridor in Diocletian's Palace that led from the Peristyle, which was once the formal entrance to the imperial apartments.[1]

The Vestibule
The Rotonda
The Vestibule in Diocletian's Palace, (2013).
TypeDome
LocationSplit, Croatia
Built4th century AD
Built byDiocletian
Architectural style(s)Roman

History

Built up to the beginning of the 4th century, as the original part of the ancient palace. It is a circular hall, once topped with a dome, 17 meters in height and 12 meters in diameter. Built as a grand meeting hall only for and selected audiences such as ambassadors.[2] The entrance was adorned with a large door dimension of 2.56 x 3.96 ms with an abundance of relief decorations. The Vestibula area was cleared of four semicircular niches that were filled with statues of unknown deities. Southeast of the vestibule is the Medieval quarter, where the oldest building is the early Romanesque house from the 10th century. On the opposite, inside the church of St. Andrija (now part of the Ethnographic museum).

Today

The space is used by klapa groups to perform popular folk songs during the summer months, taking advantage of the acoustics for an a cappella performance.[1]

  • The entrance doorway
    The entrance doorway
  • Schematic cross section of the Vestibule
    Schematic cross section of the Vestibule
  • A klapa group performing music inside the Vestibule
    A klapa group performing music inside the Vestibule
  • Floorplan of the Vestibule
    Floorplan of the Vestibule
  • Schematic cross section of the Vestibule with surrounding buildings
    Schematic cross section of the Vestibule with surrounding buildings

See also

References
  1. "Vestibule | Split, Croatia Attractions". www.lonelyplanet.com.
  2. "Vestibule, Split". www.absolute-croatia.com.

Further reading
  • Prijatelj, Kruno, Spomenici Splita i okolice, eX Libris, Split-Zagreb, 2005. ISBN 953-6310-46-5
  • Šušnjar, Bogdan, Villa cara Dioklecijana u Splitu, Naklada Bošković, Split, 2003. ISBN 953-7090-06-X
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