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 and was probably used as a "Royal Chapel" by the neighbouring court.

The oldest Croation inscription can be found inside the tiny church. It reads "Godečaj". Please read about "Gottschalk of Orbais" (Latin: Godescalc) on the previous upload.

Inside "Svetoga Križa".

The windows are somehow "irregular". According to one scholar the design has an intentionally elliptical form designated to "follow" the position of the Sun. So this church may have been a kind of calendar. This would be surprisingly unusual but not unique. Some French cathedrals (eg. Vezelay) have a kind of "equinox-design".