Bronze Gate, Split

The Bronze gate (Mjedena vrata) was originally Porta Meridionalis, the "southern gate". It is unlike the other Roman gates. It is small, plain, no ornament. There are no flanking gatehouses. It gave direct access to the sea and served as an emergency exit in the event of an attack from the land. In the middle ages it was the "security gate."

In Diocletian's time there was no promenade outside the gate. The sea lapped against the south wall. The emperor was able to enter the compound directly by ship. Today it serves as the entry from the promenade to the Cathedral. Since it has access to the Riva, it is currently the most used gate of the palace. Many guided or self-guided tours start here.

The emperor could enter the Palace directly from the sea. His private apartments are in the southern half of the complex. Naturally this meant the more luxurious appointments would be in the southern half, below the decumanus road running east to west.