This magnificent peristyle is lined with colonnades on three sides. To the south, they opened onto the Emperor's apartments. The entrance porch, framed by two 16C-17C chapels, can still be seen. To the east, the colonnade houses a sphinx (15C BC) brought back by Diocletian from his Egyptian campaign (297-98). Finally, to the west, Luxor café is a perfect example of how the palace's architecture has evolved: the Renaissance façade is 15C, but inside the circular outline of the Temple of Venus is clearly visible.