Church of St. Francis

Church of St. Francis of Assisi

The church of St. Francis is the oldest Dalmatian church built in Gothic style. The monastery that stands next to it was founded while St. Francis of Assisi was still alive. It was originally a hospice at the west side of the city where, according to legend, St. Francis of Assisi took refuge during his stay in Zadar, most likely in 1212. The construction of monastery building began in 1249. and it served as a seat to Franciscan Province of St. Jerome in Dalmatia and Istria, but also as Franciscan University center for a while. The church went under many changes, so different masters left their trace on it. Some of these were George M. Dalmatian, Nicholas of Florence, Jacobus Palme, Giacomo da Borgo Sansepolcro, as well as artists like Francis Salghetti Drioli and Lazarus Bastiani. Church treasury’s most valuable items are a large painted crucifix from 12th century and an Ugljan island polyptych from 15th century by Dujam Vušković. The sacristy is very important for Croatian history because this is where Zadar Peace was signed on February 18, 1358, by which the Venetians gave up their intention of any further conquest of Dalmatia.

Category: Old town, Temple- church- mosque,