Silver Gate (Diocletian's Palace)

The Silver Gate, or Porta Orientalis, is one of the four principal Roman gates of Diocletian's Palace in Split, Croatia. Originally constructed in the Late Classical Period, it served as a secondary gate designed with defensive structures such as walls and towers. During the 6th century CE, a church dedicated to St. Apolinar was established above the gate, reflecting the site's religious significance. The gate remained functional through the Middle Ages and underwent various modifications, including the addition of the 'Small Gate' by the Venetians in 1764. The church was enlarged in the early 1930s, and the gate saw substantial renovations in 1952 after World War II damage. The Silver Gate holds historical significance as part of the ancient Roman urban landscape and for its continued use into the contemporary period, notably during the visit of Pope John Paul II in 2000.