Split travel guide
Climbing the Bell Tower of the Cathedral of St Domnius
The Cathedral of St Domnius stands on the Peristyle, in the middle of Diocletian's Palace, and its bell tower gives the best view in the old town. This page explains what makes the building special, what the climb is like, how tickets and the dress code work, and when to go to beat the crowds.
While figuring out your cathedral visit is a critical piece of the puzzle, you will need to plan the rest of your itinerary, dining slots and sightseeing routes. Before you set out, make sure to read our definitive Split travel guide to map out your entire stay.
The cathedral and bell tower at a glance
| Where | On the Peristyle, inside Diocletian's Palace |
|---|---|
| Time | About 1 hour for the cathedral and the climb |
| Tickets | Sold at the cathedral entrance |
| The climb | Steep, with narrow steps near the top |
| Dress code | Shoulders and knees covered, no swimwear |
| Best time | First thing in the morning, before the tour groups |
We could not confirm this year's ticket prices or opening hours on an official site, so we leave them out rather than guess. Ticketed palace monuments keep long hours from spring to autumn and shorter ones in winter; pay at the ticket desks.
From an emperor's tomb to a cathedral
The cathedral was built as Diocletian's own mausoleum, around 300 AD, before it became a church. That makes it one of the oldest buildings in the world still used as a cathedral.
It is named after St Domnius (Sveti Duje), Split's patron saint, a bishop of nearby Salona who died in the emperor's persecution of Christians. His feast day, Sudamja, on 7 May, is also the Day of the City of Split, when the old town fills with a fair and processions.
- Salona: the Roman city where Domnius was bishop lies just outside Split; see our guide to the ruins of Salona.
- The rest of the palace: the Peristyle, the Vestibule and the gates are in our guide to Diocletian's Palace.
Climbing the bell tower
The Romanesque bell tower rises over the Peristyle, and from the top you look straight down onto the palace roofs, the Riva and the harbour, with the islands beyond on a clear day.
- The steps: steep and narrow near the top. Wear shoes with grip and take it slowly.
- Mobility: the tower is not suitable for limited mobility, small children who need carrying, or anyone uneasy with heights.
- Timing: climb early. Later in the day the stairs are busy and the summer sun is hot.
- Bags: travel light; the stairs are narrow and you share them with people coming down.
Dress code and etiquette
- Cover up: shoulders and knees covered in the cathedral and churches, and no swimwear. A light scarf in your bag solves it.
- It's a working church: keep your voice down, and step back if a service is on.
- In the old town: put a shirt on away from the beach. Locals dislike swimwear and bare chests in the palace lanes.
Fit it into your day
- A morning plan: coffee on the Riva, then the Peristyle, the cathedral and the bell tower before the tour groups arrive.
- Next door: the Temple of Jupiter is a short walk across the palace, and also under a roof.
- Underground: go down to the palace cellars next; the central passage leads from the Peristyle area down to the Riva.
- On a rainy day: the cathedral is one of the best indoor sights; see our rainy day guide.
What to plan next for your trip
Once you have sorted out your cathedral visit, it's time to explore the rest of Dalmatia - Split. Next, head underground to the palace cellars. For the whole palace, read our guide to Diocletian's Palace.