Nin - Holy Cross

Nin, today a small town, was a very important place during medieval times. The first Croatian state was formed at the end of the 8th and beginning of the 9th century, when Nin became the seat of the first Croatian bishop. Upto the 13th century Nin was the Croatian royal town and according to the tradition, seven Kings were crowned here.

The Church of the Holy Cross was erected around 800. It is known as "the smallest cathedral in the world" as it may have been connected to the early diocese of Nin. The tiny church was erected on a floorplan of a Greek Cross.

The oldest Croation inscription can be found inside the tiny church. It reads "Godečaj".


"Gottschalk of Orbais" (Latin: Godescalc) ? He has been here, for sure.

Gottschalk was a monk, who had had been educated in Fulda under the abbot Hrabanus Maurus. He was a strong believer in the doctrine of absolute predestination. He deserted his monastery and preached his doctrine in Northern Italy. Through the influence of Hrabanus Maurus, then archbishop of Mainz, he had to leave Italy and continued preaching in Dalmatia, Pannonia and Noricum. Gottschalk was at Duke Trpimir I of Croatia's court for two years.

In 848 he presented to the synod at Mainz a profession of faith and a refutation of Hrabanus Maurus´ ideas. He was convicted of heresy, beaten and sent back to his monastery at Orbais. A year later, at a council, presided over by Charles the Bald, he attempted to justify his ideas, but was again condemned as a heretic. He was degraded, whipped, obliged to burn his declaration of faith, and sent to the monastery of Hautvilliers.

Gottschalk however continued to defend his doctrine, writing to the most eminent theologians, what resulted in a great controversy. Gottschalk, imprisoned since two decades, went deathly ill and Hincmar, archbishop of Reims, forbade him the sacraments or burial in consecrated ground unless he would recant. Gottschalk refused to do. He died between 866 and 870.

Of course the Romans have been here - and left ruins of a temple and an amphitheatre. The capital in the foreground may come from there.