The church was founded by monks from the Poljica Republic who sought refuge from invading forces.
The structure is built into a natural cave opening rather than standing as a detached stone building.
The interior contains a significant painting of the Virgin Mary, believed by locals to be miraculous.
Accessing the site requires descending a steep, rugged staircase cut into the cliffside.
The masonry incorporates the natural rock walls of the cave as part of the structure's interior boundaries.
The Church of Our Lady of Prizidnice is a 16th-century hermitage church integrated directly into the vertical limestone cliffs on the southern coast of Čiovo island. Built in 1546 by Glagolitic priests fleeing the Ottoman expansion, the structure features a stone-carved facade embedded into the rock face. The site occupies a remote location reachable via a narrow coastal trail that descends from the village of Slatine. The interior houses historical religious artifacts, including a 15th-century painting of the Mother of God, often attributed to the school of Crete. The site remains a functional place of worship and a destination for annual pilgrimages. Its construction technique reflects a unique blend of ecclesiastical architecture and natural cave formation.
From the trail looking back toward the cliffside to capture the integration of the church into the stone face.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking footwear, as the path involves steep, uneven terrain.
Carry your own water and sun protection, as there are no facilities or shade once you reach the cliff face.
Visit during the shoulder seasons to avoid the heat trapped by the south-facing limestone cliffs.
Do not attempt the hike in flip-flops or sandals, as the cliff-side path is rocky and uneven.
Open daily, though accessibility may be limited during periods of severe coastal storms.
Dress modestly as this is a consecrated site; maintain a quiet, respectful tone.
