Religious heritage

Discover the invaluable and interesting religious heritage of the area which, apart from seven churches, boasts numerous chapels scattered around the archipelago. The votive chapels serve as proof of the customs and beliefs of fishermen, labourers who have been building them for over six centuries in honour of various patron saints so as to mark important moments in their lives or pray for help or for the protection of their health and families. 

The church of Our Lady of Gradina

This is the oldest church on the cemetery of Murter and Betina. It is a cultural monument located on the ruins of Colentum. This early Christian church dates back to the 6th century, while the semicircular apse was added in the 17th century, taking the shape we see today. Today the church is a baroque edifice. It is located at the cemetery shared by Betina and Murter.

St. Michael's church

This church has three naves and was reconstructed several times throughout its history, most recently in 1965. The parish church of St. Michael is the most beautiful and the best known, and it is accessed through a wonderful park. The church was reconstructed in the 18th century and is known for its gorgeous baroque altar which is definitely a must-see. This church is also a popular meeting place for older Murterians. The interior also boasts a baroque altar made by Pio and Vicko dell’Acqua.

St. Rocco's church

The little St. Rocco’s church was constructed in 1651 following the great plague epidemics of the 17th century. It is a votive church dedicated to St. Rocco, often invoked against the plague. In front of this church there is a small square, once used by the local youth for dancing the “tišnjansko kolo” dance. Today, the square exhibits objects from the old oil mill, a press and a stone wheel. The church is located on a peak which dominates the landscape, and from which you can see every single point of access to the village from the sea. On St. Rocco's day (August 16th), a statue of the saint is carried in a procession to St. Michael's church.

St. Mary’s church

The oldest church in the Kornati archipelago was constructed in the 6th century, at the time of the Byzantine reconquest, and is dedicated to St. Mary. This large church (approximately 20 by 13 metres) was most probably used as a sanctuary for sailors waiting for favourable sailing conditions in the protected coves of Šipnat, Levrnaka or Telašćica. This church was very important to locals at the time, as evident from the fact that since the start of the 14th century the entire island was called by various versions of its name, most frequently Insula Sanctae Mariae, and the Croatian form Stomorin otok. All that remains from the church today are the apse and a part of the foundations, and in the late Middle Ages a small church dedicated to Our Lady of Visitation was constructed in its main nave, known locally as the church of Our Lady of Tarac.

The church of Our Lady of Tarac

A small church was built in the main nave of St. Mary’s church, most probably in the 14th century, dedicated to the Visitation of Mary, and it is locally known as Our Lady of Tarac. Our Lady of Tarac is the patron saint of the dwellers of Kornati, which is why a pilgrimage to Tarac is held every first Sunday in July. Our Lady of Tarac, patron saint of the dwellers of Kornati, is today the name commonly given to the small church of Mary's Visitation built in the nave of the previous church. Historians believe it was constructed in the 14th century.

Mary’s Nativity Church

A small single-nave church with gothic elements was constructed on the Piškera island during the Venetian Republic. The church was dedicated to Mary's Nativity in 1560, and remains in service today. Holy Mass is held in this small church every last Saturday in July.

Church of the Holy Cross

The most recent church, that of the Holy Cross, was built on the island of Žut, on the Grba hill. The church was dedicated in September of 2011. The altar mosaic was created by Croatian painter Mile Skračić (1933-2015).

 

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