You’ll spot the church by its solid rectangular stone walls and simple entrance, with a cross perched right on top-just look for the building with tall, narrow windows at the edge of the city market.
Welcome! You’re standing at the very edge of Split’s lively marketplace, but not just in any old spot-you’re beside the Church and Monastery of St. Catherine, also known as St. Dominic. Now, imagine this spot way back in the medieval days, when monks shuffled quietly through the corridors and bells chimed through the morning air. The original church was actually here even earlier, all the way back in the 5th or 6th century! Sadly, that church got knocked down during the city’s fortifications in the Great Kandian War. But never fear, Split is a city that simply refuses to give up-after the war, from 1666 to 1682, the church and monastery were reborn in grand Baroque style, rising up even more elegant than before. The look you see now, though, is thanks to some ambitious renovations in the 1930s-so the old bell tower had to say goodbye.
During World War II, the monastery suffered damage from bombing raids, but locals patched it up and brought back its gentle charm. If you take a peek inside, you’ll spot Baroque altars and vibrant paintings by famous artists like Matija Ponzoni and Sebastiano Devita. The church and monastery are considered such treasures that they’re officially protected as cultural heritage-think of it as Split’s VIP list for historic buildings!
