14/02/2026
I dok mnogi smatraju kako reljef uzidan kod zapadnih vrata Dioklecijanova palača prikazuje svetog Duju, on zapravo prikazuje Sveti Antun Veliki (Opata), jednoga od najpoznatijih kršćanskih pustinjaka. 🏛️🗺️
Rođen 251. godine u Gornjem Egiptu, živio je asketski u pustinji, u postu i molitvi te je, prema predaji, doživio čak 105 godina.
Reljef se ondje ne nalazi zato što je sveti Antun imao izravnu vezu sa Splitom, već zato što je bio jedan od najmoćnijih i najštovanijih zaštitnika srednjovjekovnoga čovjeka.
Smatran je zaštitnikom od kuge i drugih zaraznih bolesti, zaštitnikom domaćih životinja te moćnim zagovornikom protiv zla, a gradska su vrata bila idealno mjesto za takvog „duhovnog stražara“.
Split je stoljećima nadograđivan; antički, ranokršćanski i srednjovjekovni kameni elementi često su premještani i ponovno korišteni.
Reljef, star oko šest stoljeća, vjerojatno je izvorno stajao na drugome mjestu te je kasnije premješten na sadašnje mjesto.
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While many believe that the relief built into the western gate of Diocletian's Palace depicts Saint Domnius, it actually portrays Saint Anthony the Great (the Abbot), one of the most renowned Christian hermits. 🏛️🗺️
Born in 251 in Upper Egypt, he lived an ascetic life in the desert, devoted to fasting and prayer, and according to tradition, he reached the age of 105.
The relief is not located there because Saint Anthony had a direct connection with Split, but because he was one of the most powerful and widely venerated protectors of medieval Christians.
He was regarded as a protector against plague and other infectious diseases, a guardian of domestic animals, and a powerful intercessor against evil, and city gates were considered an ideal place for such a “spiritual guardian.”
Split has been continuously built and rebuilt over the centuries; ancient, early Christian, and medieval stone elements were often relocated and reused.
The relief, around six centuries old, most likely originally stood elsewhere and was later moved to its present location.
