In 1662, the church was built on the foundations of an earlier smaller church, erected by Vicko Ivanov from Korčula. Its construction continued into the 18th century. In 1725, the renowned builder from Šibenik, Ivan Skoko, worked on the chapel and the main altar, which were later incorporated into the church apse. Between 1746 and 1749, the church was expanded and constructed into its present form.
At that time, it received a harmonious façade with a Baroque portal and a rich rose window, as well as side walls with Baroque oval windows. It was dedicated to the Holy Cross, as evidenced by the Latin inscription engraved on a plaque beneath the rose window: INCARNATO DEI FILIO/ IN CRVCIS VEXILLO TRIVMPHANTI/ OB PERRPETVAM AMORIS SYNGRAPHAM/ PRIMORES POPVLVSOVE VODICIIARUM/ HOC TEMPLUM OPLYMPIADE VNA/ FVNDITVS EXTRVXERUNT/ ANO DOMINI MDCCXLIX
Translation: To the Incarnate Son of God who triumphs under the banner of the Cross, as a token of eternal love. The leaders and people of Vodice built this temple from the ground up during one Olympiad (four years) in the year of our Lord 1749. On May 26, 1760, the church was consecrated by Šibenik bishop Jerolim Bonačić. It is one of the more significant Baroque-style buildings in Dalmatia, with a single-nave design and dimensions: length 27m, width 11m, and height 11m. In the sanctuary is a beautiful Baroque altar made of black and white marble, dedicated to the Holy Cross.
The other altars are also in Baroque style. On the right is the altar of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, on the left is the altar of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On the right side is the altar of St. Anthony of Padua, and on the left is the altar of the Holy Family. On the altars of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Holy Family are two altar paintings by Eugenio Moretti Larese, which are among the more significant works of painting from the mid-19th century in Dalmatia. On the ceiling of the nave in the church is a painting depicting the Holy Trinity and the coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as St. Helena the Empress holding a cross, symbolizing the Finding of the Holy Cross.
On the sides of the painting are representations of the evangelists with their symbols (tetramorph). St. Matthew is symbolized by an angel, St. Mark by a winged lion, St. Luke by an ox, and St. John by an eagle. In the right niche is a statue of Mary with the child Jesus – Our Lady Help of Christians. In the left niche is a statue of Mary with the child Jesus – Our Lady of the Rosary.
CHURCH BELL TOWER
Built between 1752 and 1772 by master Vicko Macanović "Raguseo". The bell tower is built with a closed base and two loggias, the lower one having two large windows on each side, and the upper one three smaller windows, topped with a pyramid. The bell tower is of very modest architectural and stylistic value.
← Back to map