Bell Tower of St. Andrew

BELL TOWER OF ST. ANDREW – THE OLDEST BELL TOWER ON THE ISLAND OF RAB

The Bell Tower of St. Andrew is the oldest bell tower on the island, situated next to the church facade at the centre of the monastery and was built in 1181 in Romanesque style. The inscription of its dedication on the plate inside the tower mentions the Archdeacon Kuzma (Cosmas) as the client at the time of the influential nun Ivana (Ioanne) and Bishop Andrija (Andree / Bishop from 1177 to 1193).

CUSTODIA – A RECEPTACLE FOR HOLDING RELICS

During the recent reconstruction and research, the remains of the reconstructed custodia were foud on the first floor of the bell tower topped by a cross vault that was built together with the tower for the purpose of the preservation of relics as was prescribed by the Papal Bull.

THE BELL OF THE VENETIAN FOUNDRYMAN FROM 1396 IS STILL IN OPERATION

On the top floor of the bell tower under the four-sided pyramid roof, one can find the Gothic-stlye bell cast by the Venetian foundryman Vendramin in 1396, which is still in operation. The other bell has got no date of manufacturing on it. Romanesque-style triforas are visible on the bell-tower.