The Episcopal Palace of Murcia is a historic building located in Cardenal Belluga Square. It is the official headquarter of the Diocese of Cartagena. Built in the 18th century with very unique architectural elements, it is one of the most important works of monumental heritage in Murcia. Several master stonemasons collaborated in its construction. It is a magnificent example of rococo style, with a square floor plan, between Italian and French, with sober volumes and delicate decorative grace, evident in its beautiful façades.
It was built with clear influences from the last Italian mannerism. Mural treatments based on fresco ornamentations are a feature of roman and Neapolitan palaces.
From the interior there some things of great interest: the imperial staircase, the courtyard, organized in three arcades in Doric order and a more compact upper body, and a small chapel with circular plan and rococo style that is open 24 hours.
The so-called Hammer of the Palace (the bishop's viewpoint); it is an outgoing breakwater built before the construction of the main body began in order to have a viewpoint over the Segura River and the Paseo del Arenal or Glorieta.
References:The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.
The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.
The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.