Church of Holy Cross

The Church of Holy Cross is a Pre-Romanesque building in Nin with an elliptical floor plan, thick stone walls, and multiple small chambers branching from the main space. The stonework features traditional Croatian interlace patterns that give the structure its distinctive appearance.

Built in the 9th century, this structure served as a royal chapel within the duke's courtyard during the Croatian principality era. It marks an important period when stone construction and Christian authority were being firmly established in the region.

The stone carvings display inscriptions with the name Godecaj, a local official, showing how religious and administrative authority were intertwined in this space. These names remain visible on the walls today, marking the connection between everyday governance and sacred ground.

The interior is quite small and requires slow observation to notice all the details and stone carvings. Pay attention to how the light changes throughout the day, as openings in the walls create shifting patterns across the stone surfaces.

The structure functions as both a calendar and sundial through its architectural design, with the layout aligned to specific solar positions throughout the year. This mathematical precision allows visitors to track seasonal shifts by watching how light beams move across the floor at different times.