Holy Redeemer Church, mausoleum in Croatia
Holy Redeemer Church is a place of worship and mausoleum in Šibenik-Knin County that serves as a burial site and memorial location. The structure features simple architecture with sturdy walls and contains tombs and crypts inside for various families.
Ivan Meštrović designed this family mausoleum and Catholic church, built from 1926 to 1931 with interior work continuing until 1937. Local limestone and muljika stone from Mount Svilaja were used. During the Croatian War of Independence (1991–1995), it served as a military stronghold and was heavily damaged; the movable inventory was looted, the surrounding forest burned, and the land mined. The area has since been demined and damaged parts restored.
The church is also the family tomb of sculptor Ivan Meštrović, who is buried in the crypt with his closest relatives. The name Holy Redeemer refers to Christ, and the building combines a Catholic church with a mausoleum, so it is both a place of worship and a sculptor's family grave.
The location sits in the countryside on simple paths and offers a peaceful visit amid nature. Visitors should be respectful and quiet, observing the stillness of this memorial place.
The church is built of limestone and muljika, a traditional Dalmatian stone, quarried on Mount Svilaja. Its square base encloses an inscribed cross that becomes an octagon inside, a plan modelled on Diocletian's mausoleum in Split. The crypt holds the grave of Ivan Meštrović and his closest family members.
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