Aerial view of the Dominican monastery of St. Petar Mucenik which was founded in 1482, and then fortified with two rounded turrets in 1682 following the Turkish attack on the island.

The Dominican Monastery

The Dominican Monastery provides visitors with a multifaceted look at Stari Grad. Founded in 1482, it is the final resting place of poet Petar Hektorović. It also contains an art collection, a museum, and a library with invaluable manuscripts.

The Dominican monastery of St. Peter the Martyr was founded in 1482 – © Ivana Protulipac

The Dominican monastery is the final resting place of one of Stari Grad’s most famous citizen, the poet Petar Hektorović. Not only is his tomb inside the monastery, but lines from his 16th-century literary works are carved over the church’s entrance from the side of the cloister.

The monastery was founded in 1482 and then additional work was done on the building at the end of the 16th century to fortify it after an attack on the island by the Ottoman Turks. The church was rebuilt in 1896.

Courtyard of the Dominican Monastery of Stari Grad. – © Frančesko Duboković

In the garden, there are colourful flowers and the building’s interiors contain centuries of history. However, the highlight is the museum and art collection of the monastery. One of the most beautiful works on display is a painted wooden Renaissance crucifix on the main altar. But the most valuable piece is the "Mourning of Christ" by the Venetian artist Tintoretto.

Lamentation of Christ by Tintoretto c. 1559 – © Museum of Dominican monastery

The monastery also has a large library of manuscripts, including the oldest inscriptions found in Croatia, written in Greek from the early centuries BC. They provide an interesting link to the history of Stari Grad and the urban and agricultural development of the region.

Visit