The statue was moved to its current location in 1954 to make space within the historical palace complex.
Ivan Meštrović, who sculpted the piece, is considered the most prominent Croatian sculptor of the 20th century.
The statue's size was intended to reflect the bishop's significant historical impact on Croatian religious independence.
Glagolitic script, which the bishop championed, is the oldest known Slavic alphabet.
A similar bronze statue of Gregory of Nin by the same sculptor resides in the town of Nin, the bishop's historical seat.
The Gregory of Nin Statue is a 28-foot-tall bronze monument created by sculptor Ivan Meštrović in 1929. It depicts the 10th-century Croatian bishop who famously defied the Pope to conduct religious services in the Old Church Slavonic language using the Glagolitic script. The statue is currently located in a park area directly north of the Golden Gate of Diocletian's Palace. It was originally installed in the Peristyle of the palace in 1929 before being moved to its current location after World War II. The bronze figure features a polished gold-colored toe, a result of decades of visitors rubbing it for good luck. The statue serves as a symbolic marker of Croatian cultural identity and the preservation of national language.
From the front at a low angle to capture the full scale of the figure against the sky.
Rub the bishop's left big toe for good luck, a local tradition that has left the area noticeably shiny.
Visit during the early morning to capture photos before the area becomes crowded with tour groups.
Take time to examine the intricate bronze reliefs on the statue's base depicting historical scenes.
Do not wait in line for the photo spot if you are not planning to rub the toe; you can view the sculpture from any angle.
