The Franciscan order of the Catholic Church was established by St. Francis of Assisi. He visited the city twice on his trips to the Holy Land. The current building was built after the 1667 Earthquake. It has an internal courtyard and the building hosts Croatia’s most valuable library of over 70,000 manuscripts and books and music. There is an operating pharmacy dating back to 1317 making it one of the oldest in Europe and possibly the third oldest in the world. Here is a short gallery of photos of the monastery.
There is also a Franciscan Museum and a Dominican Monastery near by within the fortified walls.
On the Island of Lokrum, just off of the coast, is another Franciscan Monastery, a large garden with an orange grove and also another fort. Here is a view from the bus of the island.
After you have left a comment below, you can come back to follow this link to learn more about this Monastery and the Friars Minor that built it.
So much history and beauty in these old buildings. I have enjoyed your tours again this UBC Doug and CONGRATULATIONS on completing another challenge. I’m sure I’ll be “seeing” you and your blogs between now and then next UBC. So keep in blogging on!!