Croatia

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, and every crowned ruler rode on horseback to the church of Saint Nicholas, about 1km south of Nin. The church is built in the end of the 11th century on an earthen mound rising above wide fields. In the 16-17th century, at the time of the Turkish wars, the church was used as a watchtower and since then is crowned by battlements.

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, and every crowned ruler rode on horseback to the church of Saint Nicholas, about 1km south of Nin. The church is built in the end of the 11th century on an earthen mound rising above wide fields. In the 16-17th century, at the time of the Turkish wars, the church was used as a watchtower and since then is crowned by battlements.

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. Nin was founded on a peninsula, but for defence reasons a channel was digged, seperating the tip from the mainland. So the old town is placed on an artificial island, that by now is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Seen here is one of the bridges and a statue of Duke Branimir, who followed Duke Zdeslav, whom Branimir had killed in 879. While Zdeslav had supported the Byzantine Empire, Branimir allied with the Roman Papacy, what paid out. In 879 Pope John VIII gave his blessing to the Duke and the Croatians. This was the first time that the Croatian state was officially recognized. Pope John VIII - by the way - is at the centre of the "Pope Joan" legend, claiming the Pope was female. The legend appeared in the 13th century and spread throughout Europe. Finally the story made it into a novel by Donna Woolfolk Cross - and in 2009 into the cinemas.

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". Is this "Gottschalk of Orbais" (Latin: Godescalc). It is sure, that he has been here, 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. k 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.

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.

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".

......was told, that "Sveti Križ" (Holy Cross), built around 800, is the smallest cathedral worldwide. It definitely bears mysteries. Some believe, that the building with it´s door and small windows could have served as a calender...

Zadar has a very long history - and after the Romans had left, Ostrogoths, Huns, Avars and Slavs had been here. It was part of the Byzantine Empire upto the early 9th century, when the Franks held it, but returned it to Byzantium after the Treaty of Aachen in 812. In 1069 Zadar was under the rule of Croatian King Petar Krešimir IV. but already 1102 whole Dalmatia became Hungarian. Since the 12th century Zadar was a rival to Venice. The Venetians and the Crusaders conquered the town after a siege in 1202. Zadar changed hands a couple of times, but in 1409 Ladislaus of Naples, titular King of Hungary (and husband of Mary of Lusignan) sold Dalmatia to Venice for 100.000 ducats. During the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s Zadar was under siege for about 2 years and shelled sporadically, what created a lot of damage. Attacks on the city continued until the end of the war in 1995. - The Cathedral of St. Anastasia ("Katedrala sv. Stošije") is the seat of the archdiocese of Zadar, that existed already, when the first Bishop Felix attended the Council in Aquileia in 381. That is, where the current cathedral roots on. Most important bishop was Donatus, who received the ashes of Saint Anastasia from Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I in the beginning of the 9th century. The ashes are still kept here. During the siege of Zadar by the Venetians and Crusaders in 1202, the cathedral was heavily damaged. For the entire 13th century the building was under repair. It was reconsecrated in 1285, but was not completed before 1234, what explains the Gothic style of the rose window.

Zadar has a very long history - and after the Romans had left, Ostrogoths, Huns, Avars and Slavs had been here. It was part of the Byzantine Empire upto the early 9th century, when the Franks held it, but returned it to Byzantium after the Treaty of Aachen in 812. In 1069 Zadar was under the rule of Croatian King Petar Krešimir IV. but already 1102 whole Dalmatia became Hungarian. Since the 12th century Zadar was a rival to Venice. The Venetians and the Crusaders conquered the town after a siege in 1202. Zadar changed hands a couple of times, but in 1409 Ladislaus of Naples, titular King of Hungary (and husband of Mary of Lusignan) sold Dalmatia to Venice for 100.000 ducats. During the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s Zadar was under siege for about 2 years and shelled sporadically, what created a lot of damage. Attacks on the city continued until the end of the war in 1995. - The Cathedral of St. Anastasia ("Katedrala sv. Stošije") is the seat of the archdiocese of Zadar, that existed already, when the first Bishop Felix attended the Council in Aquileia in 381. That is, where the current cathedral roots on. Most important bishop was Donatus, who received the ashes of Saint Anastasia from Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I in the beginning of the 9th century. The ashes are still kept here. During the siege of Zadar by the Venetians and Crusaders in 1202, the cathedral was heavily damaged. For the entire 13th century the building was under repair. It was reconsecrated in 1285, but was not completed before 1234, what explains the the Virgin in the center of the tympanum. The Gothic cathedral in Senlis has the first tympanum, where the Virgin replaced the traditional "Majestas Domini" - in 1170.

Zadar has a very long history - and after the Romans had left, Ostrogoths, Huns, Avars and Slavs had been here. It was part of the Byzantine Empire upto the early 9th century, when the Franks held it, but returned it to Byzantium after the Treaty of Aachen in 812. In 1069 Zadar was under the rule of Croatian King Petar Krešimir IV. but already 1102 whole Dalmatia became Hungarian. Since the 12th century Zadar was a rival to Venice. The Venetians and the Crusaders conquered the town after a siege in 1202. Zadar changed hands a couple of times, but in 1409 Ladislaus of Naples, titular King of Hungary (and husband of Mary of Lusignan) sold Dalmatia to Venice for 100.000 ducats. During the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s Zadar was under siege for about 2 years and shelled sporadically, what created a lot of damage. Attacks on the city continued until the end of the war in 1995. - The Cathedral of St. Anastasia ("Katedrala sv. Stošije") is the seat of the archdiocese of Zadar, that existed already, when the first Bishop Felix attended the Council in Aquileia in 381. That is, where the current cathedral roots on. Most important bishop was Donatus, who received the ashes of Saint Anastasia from Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I in the beginning of the 9th century. The ashes are still kept here. During the siege of Zadar by the Venetians and Crusaders in 1202, the cathedral was heavily damaged. For the entire 13th century the building was under repair. It was reconsecrated in 1285, but was not completed before 1234. The "Katedrala sv. Stošije" is the largest church in Dalmatija. I could not enter the cathedral and so had to take this photo through the reflecting security glass.

This sarcopahgus has the inscription: IN NOMINE SANCTE TRINITATIS HIOC REQUIESCIT CORPUS BEATE SCE ANASTASIE. DE DONIS DEI ET SCE ANASTASIA DONATUS PECATUR EPISCOPUS FECIT. DEO GRATIAS. So the remains of St. Anastasia were kept here. The sacrophagus was given to St. Anastia by the Bishop (Donatus).

The Cathedral of St. Anastasia www.zadarskanadbiskupija.hr/

Zadar has a very long history - and after the Romans had left, Ostrogoths, Huns, Avars and Slavs had been here. It was part of the Byzantine Empire upto the early 9th century, when the Franks held it, but returned it to Byzantium after the Treaty of Aachen in 812. In 1069 Zadar was under the rule of Croatian King Petar Krešimir IV. but already 1102 whole Dalmatia became Hungarian. Since the 12th century Zadar was a rival to Venice. The Venetians and the Crusaders conquered the town after a siege in 1202. Zadar changed hands a couple of times, but in 1409 Ladislaus of Naples, titular King of Hungary (and husband of Mary of Lusignan) sold Dalmatia to Venice for 100.000 ducats. During the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s Zadar was under siege for about 2 years and shelled sporadically, what created a lot of damage. Attacks on the city continued until the end of the war in 1995. - Most important bishop here was Donatus, who had strong ties to the Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I and was a well travelled diplomat. In the "Vita Karoli Magni" Einhard, Charlemagne´s biographer, wrote about a meeting between him and Charlenagne in Thionville (805). Donatus may have seen the octogonal Palatine Chapel in Aachen - and maybe even San Vitale in Ravenna. These structures seem to be models of the "Crkva sv. Donata", completed probably mid 9th century. Built on the foundations of the Roman forum this was the bishop´s "private chapel", neighbouring the cathedral and it´s campanile. St. Donatus seen late in the evening.

Zadar has a very long history - and after the Romans had left, Ostrogoths, Huns, Avars and Slavs had been here. It was part of the Byzantine Empire upto the early 9th century, when the Franks held it, but returned it to Byzantium after the Treaty of Aachen in 812. In 1069 Zadar was under the rule of Croatian King Petar Krešimir IV. but already 1102 whole Dalmatia became Hungarian. Since the 12th century Zadar was a rival to Venice. The Venetians and the Crusaders conquered the town after a siege in 1202. Zadar changed hands a couple of times, but in 1409 Ladislaus of Naples, titular King of Hungary (and husband of Mary of Lusignan) sold Dalmatia to Venice for 100.000 ducats. During the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s Zadar was under siege for about 2 years and shelled sporadically, what created a lot of damage. Attacks on the city continued until the end of the war in 1995. - Most important bishop here was Donatus, who had strong ties to the Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I and was a well travelled diplomat. In the "Vita Karoli Magni" Einhard, Charlemagne´s biographer, wrote about a meeting between him and Charlenagne in Thionville (805). Donatus may have seen the octogonal Palatine Chapel in Aachen - and maybe even San Vitale in Ravenna. These structures seem to be models of the "Crkva sv. Donata", completed probably mid 9th century. Built on the foundations of the Roman forum this was the bishop´s "private chapel", neighbouring the cathedral and it´s campanile.

Zadar has a very long history - and after the Romans had left, Ostrogoths, Huns, Avars and Slavs had been here. It was part of the Byzantine Empire upto the early 9th century, when the Franks held it, but returned it to Byzantium after the Treaty of Aachen in 812. In 1069 Zadar was under the rule of Croatian King Petar Krešimir IV. but already 1102 whole Dalmatia became Hungarian. Since the 12th century Zadar was a rival to Venice. The Venetians and the Crusaders conquered the town after a siege in 1202. Zadar changed hands a couple of times, but in 1409 Ladislaus of Naples, titular King of Hungary (and husband of Mary of Lusignan) sold Dalmatia to Venice for 100.000 ducats. During the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s Zadar was under siege for about 2 years and shelled sporadically, what created a lot of damage. Attacks on the city continued until the end of the war in 1995. - Most important bishop here was Donatus, who had strong ties to the Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I and was a well travelled diplomat. In the "Vita Karoli Magni" Einhard, Charlemagne´s biographer, wrote about a meeting between him and Charlenagne in Thionville (805). Donatus may have seen the octogonal Palatine Chapel in Aachen - and maybe even San Vitale in Ravenna. These structures seem to be models of the "Crkva sv. Donata", completed probably mid 9th century. Built on the foundations of the Roman forum this was the bishop´s "private chapel", neighbouring the cathedral. Over centuries the church was used as a warehouse, during Yugoslavian times, it served as an archaeological museum. As the building has a brilliant accoustic it is now a venue for the annual International Festival of Medieval Renaissance Music. www.donat-festival.com/

Pre-romanesque Saint Donatus church built in the 9th century on the ruins of the Roman Forum.

Zadar has a very long history - and after the Romans had left, Ostrogoths, Huns, Avars and Slavs had been here. It was part of the Byzantine Empire upto the early 9th century, when the Franks held it, but returned it to Byzantium after the Treaty of Aachen in 812. In 1069 Zadar was under the rule of Croatian King Petar Krešimir IV. but already 1102 whole Dalmatia became Hungarian. Since the 12th century Zadar was a rival to Venice. The Venetians and the Crusaders conquered the town after a siege in 1202. Zadar changed hands a couple of times, but in 1409 Ladislaus of Naples, titular King of Hungary (and husband of Mary of Lusignan) sold Dalmatia to Venice for 100.000 ducats. During the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s Zadar was under siege for about 2 years and shelled sporadically, what created a lot of damage. Attacks on the city continued until the end of the war in 1995. - Most important bishop here was Donatus, who had strong ties to the Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I and was a well travelled diplomat. In the "Vita Karoli Magni" Einhard, Charlemagne´s biographer, wrote about a meeting between him and Charlenagne in Thionville (805). Donatus may have seen the octogonal Palatine Chapel in Aachen - and maybe even San Vitale in Ravenna. These structures seem to be models of the "Crkva sv. Donata", completed probably mid 9th century. Built on the foundations of the Roman forum this was the bishop´s "private chapel", neighbouring the cathedral. Over centuries the church was used as a warehouse, during Yugoslavian times, it served as an archaeological museum. As the building has a brilliant accoustic it is now a venue for the annual International Festival of Medieval Renaissance Music. www.donat-festival.com/ Standing in the center - looking up.