Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy
A brief history of the monastery on Visovac
Oldest beginnings: Augustinian church and monastery (14th century)
The oldest sacred buildings on Visovac were erected in the 14th century by the hermits of St. Augustine. These were a small church and a monastery. The church was located approximately on the site of the present-day sacristy, while the monastery was likely on the area of today’s church, but of significantly smaller dimensions.
The first detailed description dates back to 1640.
One of the oldest preserved descriptions comes from the pen of Fra Pavao Pelizzeri Rovinjanin in 1640. He describes the church as “moderately beautiful” (mediocre bella), and particularly highlights the lavish choir stalls (veramente vistoso).
The monastery consisted of:
– a large house with 16 dormitories
– massive stone pillars and an external portico
– quarters for Turks
– a smaller house for the poor
– a farm building
The Candian War and the temporary loss of Visovac (1648–1674)
During the Cretan War (also known as the Candian War), the Franciscans were forced to leave the island in 1648. During that period, Visovac was even sold. Only by a firman (decree) in 1674 was the island returned to the Franciscans, which enabled the start of major renovations.
Major renovation of the church and bell tower (1674–1802)
The renovation of the church began immediately after the return and was completed in 1725 during the guardianship of Fra Pavao Nikolić, as confirmed by the inscription on the church. The construction of the bell tower began in the same period but was prolonged due to the poor quality of the initial stone, so the bell tower was finally completed only in 1802.
The old cloister and its development
In the 15th century, the oldest part of the monastic cloister was built, featuring massive, short columns with beveled edges. Fra Pavao Rovinjanin in 1640 described the monastery as a “rough little house” with about sixteen rooms, accessed via stone stairs and a plank. During the Cretan War (1648–1672), the monastery was burned. In the first half of the 18th century, the first new wing was erected, called Babuša after the builder Fra Toma Babić. In 1755, a well and a portico on four slender columns were constructed.
Modernization at the beginning of the 20th century
The monastery acquired its present-day monumental appearance between 1905 and 1911, when a large new wing was built.
Renovations during the 20th century and seismic strengthening
Throughout the entire 20th century, work continued continuously on the monastery, church, and surroundings. The most extensive renovation took place in 1988, following the devastating earthquake of 1986, when all the buildings on Visovac were thoroughly reinforced to withstand stronger earthquakes in this seismically active area.
Thus, over seven centuries, the small island has grown from a modest Augustinian hermitage into one of the most beautiful and significant Franciscan monastic complexes in Croatia.