Croatia Explored: 20 Must-See tourist churches and monasteries to Add to Your Bucket List
Join us on a journey to unlock Croatia’s secrets with 20 tourist churches and monasteries. Explore 20 amazing tourist churches and monasteries or the best 20 tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia. Let’s discover 20 best tourist churches and monasteries or hidden tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia. Plan your next adventure with our comprehensive list of destinations in Croatia.
Information about Croatia
Charming Croatia is a country located in the southeastern region of the European continent, and shares its eastern borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, and although it does not have wide popularity with Arab tourists, it is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Europe, and Croatia enjoys a climate More than wonderful, as it has moderate temperatures, and the country extends over an area of 56,594 km2, and its population density is low at 4.29 million people, and its language is the Croatian language, and its currency is the kuna. As for the capital of this country and its largest city, it is Zagreb. Croatia ranks high in Europe in terms of education and health, so you can definitely come to it for study or medical tourism. In Croatia, you will find beautiful old buildings, and many picturesque natural features such as waterfalls, rivers, lakes, forests, and others. The country is divided into 20 provinces, most of which are coastal. As for the most famous landmarks, there are Diocletian’s Palace in Split, the ancient walls of Dubrovnik, the town of Hvar, Litvis National Park, and many others.
A list of the best Tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia
Looking for the best tourist churches and monasteries spots in Croatia? Our curated list features the most exceptional destinations, meticulously selected by our team, and based on the experiences of fellow travelers. Start planning your next adventure with us.
1- Monastery and Treasury of St. Frane
Monastery and Treasury of St. Frane – The Church and Monastery of St. Francis in Zadar, which dates back to 1283 AD, is considered one of the oldest Dalmatian churches built in the Gothic style. And in its treasury, in the year 1358 AD, the Peace of Zadar was concluded between the Republic of Venice and the Hungarian-Croatian King Louis I of Anjou. Today, the church is a type of Gothic religious church, and is characterized by a single-nave space with a high sanctuary, and includes an art collection with a large number of exhibits, the most important of which is a painted cross from the twelfth century. In the south of the church, a Renaissance monastery was built in 1556 AD with a rich library.
Place address: Ul. fra Donata Fabijanića, 23000, Zadar, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia
2- Mirje
Mirje – Merci is an archaeological site located near the town of Bosteri on the island of Brac, in which the remains of the Benedictine monastery that was mentioned in the Povlianska document can be found, and it is located far from the coast, unlike other churches and monasteries from the early Christian period, as revealed by archaeological excavations that began in In 1992, on this site, the remains of an ancient Christian monastery and church were found, which contain many parts of the decoration of the stone church, and they constitute the richest Christian antiquities in Brac, including parts of the altar of Plautus.
Place address: 21410, Postira, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia
3- Our Lady of the Annunciation Church
Our Lady of the Annunciation Church – The Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation was built in 1783 in the Baroque style, and it is decorated with an ornate façade and stone stairs leading to its entrance. The tall stone bell tower is older than the church itself, as it was built in the sixteenth century, and there are 8 stone Mascaroni heads at the top of its building. On the semicircular arches of the bell tower, what is noteworthy is that the church was built as a whole at once and was not enlarged or rebuilt, so all its parts are symmetrical and harmonious.
Place address: D114 172, 21405, Milna, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia
4- Church of St. Krševan
Church of St. Krševan – The Church of St. Kersiphan is the oldest Benedictine monastery in Croatia, and it was characterized by a Baroque design inspired by the Middle Ages. The church includes one of the important statues of Romanesque art in Dalmatia, highlighting the main altar, which was built between 1672 AD and 1701 AD in the Baroque style, and is located along the walls North and south of the church are four other altars in Baroque marble. And recently, in the year 2021 AD, maintenance and restoration work has been planned for the Cypriot reconstruction of the missing forms of the stone plastic arcades between the wings, so that the church will return to its prestige and great historical importance.
Place address: 23000, Zadar, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia
5- Parish Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Bol
Parish Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Bol – The Parish Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel has a distinctive Baroque architecture with Rococo decorations. It was built by the Vužić family with the participation of the Andreis family and other members of Brac white stone. It is dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Above its front door there is an angel bearing Veronica’s handkerchief dates back to the church itself, and a similar pattern is found in the Cave of the Dragon.
Place address: Riva 4, 21420, Bol, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia
6- St. Mark’s Church
St. Mark’s Church – St. Mark’s Church is a parish church in Old Zagreb. It is one of the oldest architectural monuments in Zagreb, and historians believe that the church was built early in the thirteenth century, and they took the Romanesque window on its southern facade as evidence of the time period in which it was built. In the second half of the fourteenth century, the church was completely rebuilt, and its building style was transformed into the late Gothic style. At the present time, visitors will find dozens of statues and majestic drawings of the Virgin Mary, Christ, and many others.
Place address: Trg Sv. Marka 5, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia
7- Church of St. Donat
Church of St. Donat – The Church of St. Donat was originally a center for the Holy Trinity, which is a valuable monument. The church was designed in the style of pre-Romanesque architecture in the early Middle Ages in Croatia. Due to its distinctive shape and ancient design, it has become one of the most important religious monuments in Europe. The church was distinguished by its circular shape and its double ring, with a unique character unlike any other churches in the region, and it also contains tall stone beams decorated in unique ways. Tourists and pilgrims come to this holy spot from all over the world, as it is one of the most important churches in the world.
Place address: Grgura Mrganića, 23000, Zadar, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia
8- Blaca Hermitage
Blaca Hermitage – The Monastery of Plaka is the most famous architectural gem on the island of Brac, and it is one of the many hermitages on the island. It is distinguished for its construction made of the sparkling white limestone that Brac is famous for. It is located in the eastern corner of a rocky valley in the south of the island. It was founded in 1551 by Glagolitic monks They came to the area while fleeing from the Turkish forces, and today the monastery is open to the public as a museum with many wonderful artifacts, including some 11,000 books in the monastery library, a collection of paintings, shields, furniture, old clocks, a piano and an impressive telescope.
Place address: Bb, 21423, Nerežišća, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia
9- Cathedral of St. Anastasia
Cathedral of St. Anastasia – The Cathedral of St. Anastasia is a huge Roman building, bearing the name of the martyr Sirmian, to whom two popes bowed; Alexander III, who visited his grave, and Pope John Paul II, who in 2003 bowed in front of the main gate of the cathedral. The cathedral in Zadar was built in the 12th and 13th centuries, on the ruins of an older building erected on the site of an early Christian church. The building features a richly decorated facade, an impressive interior decoration of three naves with remains of wall paintings in the side towers, and majestic interior decorations and carvings in an architectural composition that is the most beautiful of its kind in the country.
Place address: Trg Svete Stošije, 23000, Zadar, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Things to do in Croatia
10- Visovac Monastery
Visovac Monastery – Visuvac is a small island owned by the Catholic Church, located in the lower reaches of the Krka River between two waterfalls in the Krka National Park; Ruski Waterfall and Skradinski Buk, and before human settlement of the island, it was a “white rock” in the middle of the lake, and today it acquired its shape thanks to the work of priests who brought the land to the shallow waters and separated it from the water with a wall, so the island with its plants became a “small paradise” that holds a wonderful monastery.
Place address: Visovac Monastery, 22324, Brištane, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist islands in Croatia
11- The Church of St. Blaise
The Church of St. Blaise – The Church of Saint Blaise is considered one of the most prominent monuments in Croatia in general, as it is believed that Saint Blaise is the patron saint of the city of Dubrovnik and protector of the former independent Republic of Ragusa. The church was built in 1715 by the Venetian architect and sculptor Marino Gropelli ), and was designed in the style of the Basilica of San Maurizio located in Venice in Sansovino.
Place address: Rkt. crkva sv. Vlaha, Rkt. crkva sv. Vlaha, Luža ul. 2, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Things to do in Croatia
12- CHURCH OF ST. DONATA
CHURCH OF ST. DONATA – The Church of St. Donata, originally known as the Church of the Holy Trinity, is the largest and most important pre-Romanesque church in Croatia, and a true symbol of Zadar. The church was originally built in the nineteenth century, and it witnessed many conflicts and wars, but it has remained steadfast to this day. Despite the establishment of many churches in the region, the Church of St. Donata has its own sanctity and importance that distinguishes it from other places of worship.
Place address: Grgura Mrganića, 23000, Zadar, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia
13- Cathedral of Zagreb
Cathedral of Zagreb – One of Zagreb’s most impressive landmarks, Zagreb Cathedral is the tallest building in Croatia and the largest neo-Gothic sacred building in the southeastern Alps. Built in the 11th century, it was partially demolished after the 1880 earthquake. However, it was restored and two large towers designed by Austrian architect Hermann Bolle were added, which contributed to making it a symbol of Zagreb.
Place address: 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia
14- Benedictine Monastery of St. Mary
Benedictine Monastery of St. Mary – St. Mary’s Benedictine Monastery is a small church designed in the beautiful Romanesque style, which includes an antique bell dating back to 1066 AD, and it is located in the same stunning area as St. Donatus Church. During World War II, when the city was part of Italy, the church and its surroundings were destroyed by Allied bombing, so the church was rebuilt and restored and today stands as one of the most important monuments in Zadar.
Place address: Madijevaca ul. 10, 23000, Zadar, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia
15- Saint Domnius Cathedral
Saint Domnius Cathedral – St. Domnius Cathedral is located within the famous Diocletian Palace, and it is the Catholic cathedral in the city of Split, and it is very famous in the world because it is the seat of the Split Makarska Diocese headed by Archbishop Marin Barišić, and it is also distinguished because it is the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world Its original structure is still in use without a complete renovation, and the tomb of Saint Domnius is located there.
Place address: Ul. Kraj Svetog Duje 3, 21000, Split, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Things to do in Croatia
16- Dominican Monastery of Bol
Dominican Monastery of Bol – The Dominican Paul Monastery on the Glavica peninsula was built in the 15th century on the site where the episcopal palace was formerly located. Attracting the most interest in the monastery’s precious gallery are Tintoretto’s painting of the Virgin Mary and Child (Christ) and saints as well as paintings by the Croatian Baroque painter Tripo Kokolja on the ceiling.
Place address: Šetalište Anđelka Rabadana 4, 21420, Bol, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia
17- The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary – The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is located in the southeast of Dubrovnik. It was built on the ruins of an older cathedral dating back to the sixth century. It was designed in the traditional Baroque style by Andrea Buffalini. The cathedral is famous for its three antique corridors in addition to its three private towers. It is also distinguished by the fact that it contains many prominent monuments, such as paintings by Italian and Dalmatian artists dating back to the period between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries.
Place address: Ul. kneza Damjana Jude 1, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Things to do in Croatia
18- Franciscan Monastery
Franciscan Monastery – The Franciscan Monastery is located in the heart of a natural island located near the Dalmatia region, and it is considered one of the oldest monuments in it and in the country in general. It is a Catholic monastery dating back to the fourteenth century, characterized by a unique design that includes internal courtyards and corridors, and contains a collection of historical importance of Christian books, and a rich library that contains many historical manuscripts and rare books.
Place address: 22324, Brištane, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia
19- Zadar Archdiocese
Zadar Archdiocese – The Diocese of Zadar is a Latin Rite diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Croatia, specifically in the city of Zadar, and was founded in the third century AD. The diocese was distinguished by its distinctive and majestic design, which was and still is an architectural imprint in the world of modern architecture and design, as the outer structure consists of a tall tower and a huge clock that adorns the front facade of the building, and from the inside the courtyards are filled with decorations, domes and inscriptions. Today, the diocese is still a destination for pilgrims and tourists who come from all over the world to see it.
Place address: Ul. Jurja Bijankinija 2, 23000, Zadar, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia
20- Church of St. Simon
Church of St. Simon – Despite its modest exterior, this small Baroque church, named after one of the city’s saints, houses one of Zadar’s most notable landmarks, St. Simon’s Chest, a fine example of a medieval silversmith, dating back to 1381 AD, this silver casket The highly decorated one just above the main altar contains the mummified body of Saint Simon. The church is characterized by a contemporary Baroque architecture that includes towers, domes, and ornate high ceilings, in a unique architectural configuration in the city.
Place address: 23000, Zadar, Croatia
Click here to go to the coordinates of the place on Google Map
Looking for more : The best Tourist churches and monasteries in Croatia
Conclusion
As your journey through Croatia comes to an end, we hope you take with you unforgettable memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. This amazing region is home to diverse landscapes, ancient cultures, and welcoming communities that have something special to offer every traveler. Our guide has provided you with the top destinations and hidden gems that make Croatia such a unique and special place. But, we encourage you to continue to explore this region on your own and uncover new adventures and treasures along the way. As you journey back home, don’t forget to reflect on the moments that made your trip so special and share your experiences with others. Remember to keep the spirit of adventure and curiosity alive in your everyday life and continue to seek out new experiences. We hope our guide has been a valuable resource in planning your trip, and we look forward to hearing about your travels. Safe travels and until next time!