Dominikanski samostan, Dominican monastery in Stari Grad, Croatia.
Dominikanski samostan is a fortified monastic complex featuring two round defense towers and the Church of St. Peter the Martyr within its enclosure. The thick stone walls surround the entire compound and create separate spaces for different functions within the site.
The monastery was founded in 1481 by Pope Sixtus IV and friar German of Piacenza as a Dominican community. In the late 1500s, it was reinforced with walls and towers to defend against invading forces from the Ottoman Empire.
The monastery displays ancient Greek inscriptions from the 4th to 2nd century BC that reveal details about the people who lived here before. Walking through the rooms, you can see how deep the settlement's roots go into the past.
The site is open from May through October with guided tours available to help visitors understand the spaces and artworks. Expect stairs and uneven stone surfaces throughout, especially if you plan to climb the towers for views over the town.
A wooden Renaissance crucifix carved with remarkable detail adorns the main altar as a work of local craftsmanship. The painting of the Lamentation of Christ by Jacopo Tintoretto draws visitors into the artistic heart of the monastery's collection.
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