The Church of St. Nicholas

The Church of St. Nicholas (Cro. Crkva sv. Nikole), originally named the Church of the Holy Spirit (Cr. Crkva sv. Duha), was built in the 13th or 14th c. in the Late Romanesque style. Recent research has indicated that it originated far earlier, with the remains of the semi-circular apse and the completely preserved triumphal arch being found. Following the demolition of the semi-circular apse, the present sacristy was built, though clumsily, in the 19th c.

The original Church of the Holy Spirit was attached to the local marketplace located in its close proximity and the church facade dominated over the public area with the typical medieval square until the construction of the municipal loggia at the beginning of the 16th c. The City Council meetings were held in the church and notarial activities were carried out there related to the operation of the local marketplace.

The ownership changed afterwards, around the end of the 15th c., when the church became the centre of the Fraternity of the Rab Seamen whose Patron Saint is St. Nicholas and was reconstructed at that time. At the beginning of the 16th c., when the city loggia was built, the church lost its public service.

The church ground layout is rectangular and elongated and has remained almost the same to this day. The facade is topped by the bell-gable with a valuable Gothic-style church bell is placed. Today, the church is not used for worship, but it is used as an exhibition space. The Day of St. Nicholas, celebrated on December 6, is particularly festive as it is the day the Holy Mass is held and the worshipers can hang out in front of the church with refreshments served. (I.P.)