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Krk Croatia – A Short Introduction
Krk is the largest of the Adriatic islands, with an area of 409 square km (158 sq miles). A bridge links the island to the mainland, built to offer good connections to the island’s international airport. Along the eastern coast, the island looks almost ghostly, its white rocks swept by the bora wind. Inland and on the more protected western coast, there’s rich, lust vegetation.
A short history of Krk
Krk was first inhabited by the Liburnians, followed by the Romans, who founded Curicum (the present-day Krk) and Fulfinum. Trace of walls baths and villas with floor mosaics remain.
In the 6th century, it came under Croatian rule and after the Frankish and Byzantine occupation it became part of the possessions of Venice. It was then granted to Dujam I, founder of the Frankopan family, and from 1480 to 1797 it was directly ruled by Venice. Krk was a center for Glagolitic script and the Baška Tablet, now in the Croatian Academy of Arts and Sciences in Zagreb, came from this island.
Krk Town
The town developed in the Middle Ages on the site of the Roman town of Curicum. The wall and 3 Venetian city gates are still visible: the city gate with a guard tower called Kamplin, the Sea Gate (Pisana) and the Upper Gate.
Facing the main square are Renaissance-era buildings and in the area of the Roman baths is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. It dates from the 1100’s but modified since. The three-aisle church has a facade of light-colored stone. Inside are four paintings by Cristoforo Tasca, and a fine wooden Baroque pulpit.
St. Quirinus Church Krk
The treasury is in the neighboring Church of St. Quirinus (the patron saint of the city) which houses the Diocesan Museum.
This has works from the cathedral and other churches on the island, including the silver Frankopan altarpiece depicting the Virgin Mary in Glory and a polyptych by Paolo Veneziano.
Behind the cathedral stands the Frankopan castle with 4 square towers from 1191, and a round tower from the Venetian period. Inside the walls are churches dedicated to Our Lady of Health and St. Francis. The latter has an engraved wooden pulpit.
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption Krk
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, also known as Krk Cathedral, is a significant religious and historical landmark. The cathedral’s origins date back to the 5th or 6th century, although archaeological evidence suggests that the site was used by Christians as early as the 4th century.
The cathedral was initially constructed as a three-nave early Christian basilica. This structure is part of a larger complex that includes the Romanesque Church of Saint Quirinus, a bell tower from the 16th century, the Chapel of Saint Barbara, an early Christian baptistry, and an apse. The basilica’s orientation is typical of the period, with its façade facing a street running north-south through the town.
Romanesque Period
Significant alterations were made to the cathedral during the Romanesque period in the 11th and 12th centuries. The present-day Romanesque design was created around this time, with the first documented mention of the church dating from 1186. The interior features two rows of columns, with the seven columns closer to the altar originally part of the old basilica.
Archaeological Discoveries
Between 1956 and 1963, archaeological excavations led by Andro Mohorovičić uncovered the ruins of an ancient Roman thermae dating from the 1st century. These excavations revealed a hypocaust and a tepidarium with a preserved mosaic floor, suggesting that the site may have been used for Christian masses as early as the 4th century.
Additionally, a barrel-like piscina for baptismal water was found beneath the floor of the present-day Chapel of the Holy Heart of Jesus.
Notable Features
Bell Tower
The cathedral complex includes a bell tower constructed in the 16th century. This tower adds to the architectural diversity of the site and serves as a prominent feature of the Krk skyline.
Chapel of Saint Barbara
Another notable feature is the Chapel of Saint Barbara, which is part of the cathedral complex. This chapel, along with the early Christian baptistry and apse, highlights the historical and religious significance of the site.
Address: Trg Sv. Kvirina