It is not easy to list the
most beautiful sacred buildings in Croatia in a short text, because there are really many beautiful places of worship in predominantly Catholic Croatia. On your trip through Croatia you will surely see some of the
church towers and
architecturally remarkable buildings. In this article we would like to introduce you to some of them.
1.
Porec -
Euphrasian Basilica - The Euphrasian Basilica in
Porec in Western Istria is considered to be one of the
most beautiful places of worship in Croatia. The most important
Byzantine sacred building dates back to the time after the fall of the Roman Empire. Where originally was a chapel for the bones of the martyr
Maurus Parentius -
the first bishop of Porec - in the 4th century, the
three-aisled basilica was built by the 6th century. Under
Bishop Euphrasius, this impressive building was built based on the Byzantine model, the main apse of which will impress you with its magnificent mosaics and marble columns. The basilica also includes the atrium, the bell tower, the baptistery and the bishop's palace, which houses a museum.
2.
Zagreb -
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saints Stephen and Ladislaus - One of the tallest buildings in Croatia with its two well-known towers is a national cultural asset - the cathedral in Zagreb. As the
episcopal church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zagreb, this sacred building impresses with its rich furnishings from the
Baroque era of the 18th century and the
neo-Gothic style of the 19th century. The high columns, pompous chandeliers and the ornate altar in the richly decorated chancel give a
majestic impression. The Walcker organ, built in 1855 and rebuilt several times, is also impressive. Many smaller altars, numerous sculptures, inscriptions and monuments can be discovered in the
individual wings of the building. Take the time to visit this
unique cathedral and learn more about the religion and its history - there is
no better place than this.
3.
Zadar -
Church of St. Donatus - The
symbol of the city of Zadar is also the
best preserved sacral building from early Christian times. Originated in the 9th century as the house chapel of the then
bishop Donatus and built on the foundations of the
Roman forum, the two-storey round church now stands in the old town center of Zadar. The rather unadorned 26m high interior of the church is
surrounded by a gallery on the upper floor and has
excellent acoustics due to its height, dome, columns and arches, which is why
classical concerts and music evenings often take place here. Do not miss this opportunity and experience the magic of music if you have booked one of
our villas near Zadar.
4.
Split -
Cathedral of St. Domnius - Once built as the
mausoleum of Emperor Diocletian, it is considered one of the oldest cathedrals. It is located in
Diocletian's Palace in Split, in southern Croatia. The richly decorated wooden gate, which shows scenes from the
life of Jesus, leads you into the round interior of the church. Granite columns decorated with
golden wreaths, late
Gothic frescoes,
sarcophagi and various altars in the niches of the cathedral will amaze you. The entire interior is made up of many different works of art from different eras. Take your time and discover the many
small details.
5.
Sibenik -
Cathedral of St. Jacob - In the Dalmatian city of Sibenik there is one of the
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Cathedral of St. Jacob. This sacred building was built over
different epochs, which is why at present you can discover elements of the late Gothic as well as the Renaissance era. The three-aisled basilica testifies to the interplay of the
influences of northern Italy, Tuscany and Dalmatia. It is interesting that depending on the position of the sun, the daylight that enters through the dome and the window in the chancel
sets a different part of the interior in the limelight. The organ of the cathedral was built in 1968 by the Slovenian organ builder Franc Jenko. In addition, the cathedral was used as a backdrop for the
Game of Thrones series, which is sure to impress all fans.
6.
Rovinj -
Church of St. Euphemia - You are sure to know the church tower that
protrudes from the town of Rovinj. It belongs to the church of St. Euphemia, which seems as if it´s crowding out the houses. Indeed, over the centuries this church has been
continually expanded and enlarged to make more space for the many believers who were attending this this church. The interior of the church is
rich in various altars, pictures and statues. Behind the altar is the sarcophagus with the
relics of St. Euphemia. It is interesting to know that the statue on the top of the church tower
rotates depending on the direction of the wind. It stands at a height of approx. 60m and if you want to conquer the tower, you can enjoy a
breathtaking view from there.
7.
Labin -
Church of the Nativity of Mary - If you have booked one of
our villas on the east coast of Istria, you should definitely pay a visit to this church. The three-aisled church was built in 1336 and rebuilt several times over the years up to 1993. Inside this structure there are
six marble altars. The linen cloth on the main altar and the altarpiece - works by
famous artists - are particularly worth seeing. The outside of the church is interesting because of the steps and the small forecourt, but also because of the
symbol of the Venetian rule in Labin - a lion with a ball in its mouth.
Daniela Vuleta
28.4.2022
MY ISTRIA GUIDE
