Description of the attraction
A simple Gothic church with a gable roof was built in 1402. A written document dates back to the same period, in which the first mention of the city of Vodice is found. In its appearance, the Church of the Holy Cross resembles some kind of modest chapel rather than a full-fledged temple. It was consecrated in honor of the Holy Cross in 1421, when the church became a parish church. Raising the status of the church is directly related to the development of the city of Vodnice.
In the 15th century, it was surrounded by a cemetery. It has been in operation for several centuries. Buried there is a local priest, a teacher who supports patriots in opposing the annexation of Dalmatia by Northern Croatia, Josip Mrkica, who died in the second half of the 19th century.
The church, built in the Gothic style, is a typical example of rural religious architecture in Croatia. Above the simple, unassuming portal, you can see a beautiful little baroque rosette window. The main façade is continued by a mini-bell tower, which houses one bell. There are several windows on the facades, which serve as a source of daylight for the interior of the Church of the Holy Cross. A path leads to the temple, paved with large stones, between which grass is breaking through.
The peculiarity of the interior of this church is the Romano-Gothic baptistery, installed on pillars, which is considered to be the only one of its kind in the Šibenik region and in Dalmatia in general. During the summer, the church is used for various exhibitions. Basically, modern art objects are on display here. Admission to such exhibitions is free.
