FRANCISCAN AND DOMINICAN MONASTERIES

Franciscan Monastery of Saint Bernadine of Siena, Kampor, Island of Rab
“Unsurpassable harmonic with its natural surroundings, complementing the surroundings with its construction excellence, not in the least diminished by the humbleness of its volume and form” were the words of art historians who best described the position and appearance of this Franciscan monastery, one of many located on the Kvarner islands. The monastery consists of two churches, the monastery Church of Saint Bernadine and the older parish Church of Saint Euphemia, in addition to a series of monastery buildings and facilities.
The Church of Saint Euphemia was first mentioned in the 8th century. In the middle of the 15th century, the patrician Peter Car (Zaro) from Rab constructed a monastery building for the Franciscan (Observers) brotherhood. This votive event is confirmed in two documents,
one on parchment paper and the other engraved in stone on the monastery plaque.
The monastery holds many valuable items including: the polyptych of Venetian masters (15th century, work by brothers A. and B. Vivarini), the main altar in the Church of Saint Bernadine and the Byzantine icon of the Mother of God (15th century). In the votive Chapel of Our Lady (16th century), there is a wooden crucifix (15th century) in front of the sacristy, a silver gold-plated cross of Petar Car (Zaro), a sarcophagus created in high relief (15th century), an altar backdrop depicting Saint Francis, cloister with a well and a carved well crown, monastery library and archive (7,000 volumes, chorals, the “great Kampor chronicles” of Father Odorik Badurina), archaeological, ethnographic, palaeontological and geological collections, as well as a collection of artistic works by Father A. Testen. The main celebration is on the day after Easter, Easter Monday, and on Feast of Saint Euphemia (16 September). The monastery museum is open from 1 May to 1 October from 10:00-12:00 and from 16:00-18:00.
Info tel: 051/724 951, 771 111

Dominican Monastery of Saint Geronimo, Rijeka
Located on Riječke Rezolucija Square, just off Korza, this Dominican monastery is part of the former Augustine monastery (14th/15th centuries) foundation of the feudal rulers of Rijeka, the Devinski Counts. The activities of the Augustans in Rijeka (from the 8th-18th centuries) was very significant, particularly in the fields of diplomacy and science. One of the most important monks was mapmaker Ivan Klobučarić. Next to the monastery, is the Church (14th century) that carries the same name; it was later renovated in the Baroque style (18th century). The church also served for the burial of the Rijeka Patricians (today their gravestones are on the walls of the monastery cloister).
Next to the church are two artistically valuable chapels, the Chapel of the Holy Trinity (15th century, special example of the Alpine Gothic style) and the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception (16th century, marble altar with backdrop of the Immaculate Conception, work by I. Simonetti). Both chapels are currently undergoing restoration.
The celebratory feast days are the Feasts of Saint Dominic (8 August) and Saint Geronimo (30 September).
The church is open from 7:00-12:00 and from 16:00-19:30.
Info tel: 051/ 325 320, 335 882