Sudamja – Celebration of the Day of St. Domnius

On May 7th the streets of Split will be highlighted with traditional events as the city celebrates its patron, Saint Domnius (Sv. Duje in Croatian), with a grand Dalmatian feast. St.Domnius was the archbishop of nearby Salona (now Solin) in the 3rd century, but was martyred with 7 other Christians under the persecutions of the Emparor Diocletian. The Cathedral of Saint Domnius, consecrated at the turn of the 7th century AD, is regarded as the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world that remains in use in its original structure, without near-complete renovation at a later date (though the bell tower dates from the 12th century). The structure itself, built in AD 305 as the Mausoleum of Diocletian, is the second oldest structure used by any Christian Cathedral.On the first floor of the sacristy is the cathedral treasury which contains relics of Saint Domnius which were brought to the cathedral after his death.On the Feast of Saint Domnius, various events take place within the old town, starting with a mass and procession on “Riva” promenade.