Visovac Monastery

Drniš, Croatia

The Visovac Monastery was established in the 14th century by Augustinian monks, who erected a small monastery and church on the island dedicated to the Apostle Paul. In 1445, it was enlarged and adapted by Franciscans, who settled on the island having withdrawn from parts of Bosnia when invading Turks had taken over. A new monastery was constructed in the 18th century.

The oldest preserved part of the current complex dates from the 14th century. The monastery houses a historically significant collection of Christian books and a rich library containing many historical manuscripts and rare books, including a rare incunabula of Aesop's fables (Brescia 1487) printed by the Lastovo printer Dobrić Dobričević, and a collection of documents known as 'the sultan's edicts'. A sabre once belonging to Vuk Mandušić, one of the best-loved heroes of Serbian epic poetry, is also housed at Visovac.

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Address

Unnamed Road, Drniš, Croatia
See all sites in Drniš

Details

Founded: 14th century
Category: Religious sites in Croatia

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Yoni E (2 years ago)
We didn't get to the island however we did take a quick swim at the docking were the boat ia picking up tourists to the monastery. That was really good and peaceful
Hashim Sheikh (Hash) (2 years ago)
You get 30mins at the monastery because it takes 30/40 mins to get there and the same to come back.
Magdaléna Andršová (2 years ago)
Skradinski buk waterfall is divine. But I can't recommend the boat excursion. For the excursion from Skradinski buk waterfall to Roški slap waterfall with a large number of people, they chose an unsuitable small boat! There were only a few places (22) up on deck where you can see something and where it's not too hot. For the others, there will be just places below decks, where nothing can be seen (from the whole park I could see only small dirty windows), where it is as hot as in a Finnish sauna and where is a riot. Everyone downstairs was just staring at the phone, sweating, and being desperate.  Upstairs, people preferred to better sit on the floor and stairs rather than being downstairs. I don't understand the choice of this boat when there was a bigger boat with an open deck moored right next to it, which would have been nice for everyone to fit in and see the park. We met that one during the journey, and only two people were sitting in it. Poor organization and information before shutdown and during the entire cruise. We were there half an hour before departure, one of the first, and then suddenly someone whispered something and all ran towards the small boat, and suddenly we were one of the last in line and only the seats in the sauna below left for us. Such an experience is not worth the price of 130 HRK (18 EUR) per person and 4 hours of your precious time.
Fouad Serrah (3 years ago)
The Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy, and the Church of Our Lady of Visovac, have stood here since 1445. With their magnificent grounds, they form a unique entity. Visovac Island is among the most important natural and cultural values of the Republic of Croatia. Since 1445, this has been the site of the Franciscan monastery of Our Lady of Mercy, and the Church of Our Lady of Visovac. With their magnificent grounds and surrounded by Visovac Lake, this forms a unique entity. During its stormy history, Visovac was and has remained an island of peace and prayer, and the Franciscan monastery is a fortress of spirituality and faith, and one of the key foundation stones of the survival of the Croats and the preservation of the Croatian national identity.
Marina Midenjak (3 years ago)
Lovely island, nice to visit. Very clean and peaceful.
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