Necropolis of Manastirine outside the walls of the ancient Illyrian, Greek and Roman city of Salona, at Solin near Split, Dalmatia, Croatia. Many early Christians martyred by Roman Emperor Diocletian lie buried here and some of the plundered sarcophagi bear Christian symbols. In the foreground of this image, foundations of the curved apse of a 400s AD basilica.
Salona, Solin, Dalmatia, Croatia: foundations of the curved apse of a 5th century AD basilica in the Necropolis of Manastirine, outside the walls of ancient Salona, built for the graves of early Christian martyrs executed by Roman Emperor Diocletian. The church lies amid up to 100 plundered sarcophagi or tomb chests, some bearing Christian symbols. Salona, a former Adriatic trading port close to Split, is among Croatia's most important ancient sites. It was founded in the 3rd century BC by the Delmats or Dalmats of Illyria. Around 40 BC, after time under Greek rule, it became the Roman colony of Martia Iulia Salona. Under Augustus Caesar it became the capital of the province of Dalmatia and the city, ringed by strong walls and towers, grew quickly. Public baths, an aqueduct, forum, theatre and 18,000-capacity amphitheatre were built and the population grew to about 60,000. Diocletian was probably born in or near Salona. He became Emperor in 284 AD and Salona thrived as he built his magnificent palace at Split. Its citizens were cosmopolitan, worshipping oriental deities as well as Roman gods. Christianity took root, but Diocletian executed many Christians, including future saints Domnius and Anastasius. After the Edict of Milan ending religious persecution, Christians flocked here to honour the martyrs, building memorials in the amphitheatre where many Christians had died. They sought to be buried near the martyrs' graves, which became shrines with churches built over them. The city fell to Ostrogoth king Theodoric in 493 AD. It was returned to Rome in 535 but in 614, the citizens fled as Slavs and Avars levelled it. The site was excavated by archaeologist Frane Bulić (1846-1934) and the ruins are now open to visitors as an archaeological park.
Size: 2832px × 4256px
Location: Salona, Solin, Dalmatia, Croatia.
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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