Church of the Holy Cross

Nin, Croatia

Church of the Holy Cross Crkva svetog Križa) is a Pre-Romanesque Catholic church originating from the 9th century in Nin.

According to a theory from an art historian Mladen Pejaković, the design has an intentionally unbalanced elliptical form designated to 'follow' the position of the Sun, retaining the functionality of a calendar and sundial. In its beginning, in the time of the Croatian principality, it was used as a royal chapel of the duke's courtyard nearby.

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Details

Founded: 9th century AD
Category: Religious sites in Croatia

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Yo Lo (7 months ago)
The Church of the Holy Cross in Nin is a small but historically significant site. Often referred to as the "smallest cathedral in the world," its unique structure and history make it an interesting stop for those exploring the area. The architecture is simple and unadorned, which adds to its appeal and sense of authenticity. While it may not offer much in terms of grandeur, its cultural importance and peaceful atmosphere make it worth a brief visit. The surrounding area provides a glimpse into the historical richness of Nin. Overall, it's a nice stop for history enthusiasts, but don’t expect anything too elaborate. .
Tadeusz Godlewski (7 months ago)
This is the smallest cathedral in the entire world! It is in great condition despite its centuries old age. It is really tiny and cute. I highly recommend a visit here!
Szocs Karoly (7 months ago)
The church is fairly old and interesting. The whole city of Nin is nice and clean with beautiful streets, squares, buildings, churches and many good looking restaurants.
Vanja Zvonar (2 years ago)
The Church of The Holy Cross is Nin's primary symbol. It stands on a small plain in town's centre, where the remains of antique buildings can be seen. While it seems perfectly symmetric at the first glance, it is unevenly built, with slightly curved windows and some other odd details. It was discovered that this is due to it's function as a sundial and a calendar. There are barely visible remains of frescoes inside and the famous inscription at the entrance. This is protected cultural heritage as it stands here unchanged since the 9th century, and should be treated accordingly. I didn't like massive cobwebs on the ceiling and kinda shabby overall interior.
Travelling Hopper (3 years ago)
Free and open space to visit this historical church, not far from city gate ( backside of nin) and then you can walk around the city wall while touring whole city with sea view.
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