The Baška Tablet was discovered in 1851 embedded in the church floor, hidden for centuries.
The inscription contains the first written mention of the Croatian name in the national language.
The tablet served as a legal document documenting a donation of land by King Zvonimir to the Benedictine Abbey of St. Lucy.
Glagolitic is the oldest known Slavic alphabet, developed by Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius in the 9th century.
The original tablet weighs approximately 800 kilograms and is carved from limestone.
The church was part of a larger Benedictine monastery that ceased operation in the late 14th century.
The script transitions mid-text from Old Church Slavonic to local Croatian dialect characteristics.
Excavations at the site have uncovered a total of 13 stone fragments of the original tablet, though the main slab is the only complete piece.
The surrounding valley in Jurandvor has served as a center for agricultural and monastic activity since the early Middle Ages.
St. Lucia’s Church in Jurandvor is the site of the discovery of the Baška Tablet, one of the most important monuments of Croatian literacy. The limestone slab, dating to approximately 1100, features an inscription in Glagolitic script detailing a land grant from King Zvonimir to the Benedictine abbey. The current facility functions as a museum complex displaying a high-quality plaster cast of the original tablet, which is housed in the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts in Zagreb. Archaeological excavations revealed the foundations of the early Romanesque church and an adjoining Benedictine monastery complex. The site represents a pivotal location for understanding the transition from Glagolitic to Latin script in the region. Visitors can view the foundation layout and interpretive exhibits regarding the medieval script and local monastic life. The site is located in a rural valley setting known for its historical archaeological significance.
The interior view looking toward the altar where the Baška Tablet replica is prominently displayed.
Read the provided interpretive placards carefully, as they explain the nuances of the Glagolitic script.
Visit the small garden area on the museum grounds to see the excavated monastery foundation layout.
Allocate time to explore the surrounding valley, as the landscape context is essential to understanding the site's history.
Do not mistake the plaster cast inside the church for the original artifact, which is located in Zagreb.
The complex is generally closed during the winter months and operates primarily from spring through autumn.
Maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor within the church area; cover shoulders and knees as a sign of respect.
