Gospin Otok
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Imagine standing on the spot where according to tradition, Croatian history in this region began – on Gospin Otok in Solin. This small island, embraced by the backwaters of the Jadro River, is not only a picturesque oasis of greenery, but also a living museum of millennial heritage, a place where the destinies of kings, queens and peoples intertwined. Gospin Otok bears the title of “The First Settlement of Croats” in Solin and archaeological traces reveal even deeper layers: under the present-day church, remains of Roman walls have been found, which means that life flourished here even before the arrival of the Croats. In the 10th century, the Croatian Queen Jelena, also known as the “mother of orphans and widows”, had two churches built: the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Stephen. It was in the Church of St. Stephen that members of the royal family were buried, and it was there in August 1898 that Don Frane Bulić found a broken sarcophagus with the inscription of Queen Helena – a moment that caused a real sensation among the gathered children and workers. This discovery, with the letters “HEL” written on it, was like a historical puzzle that finally got its key piece. Both churches survived the Tatar raids of the 13th century, but during the Turkish occupation in the 16th century they became ruins. On their foundations, in the 17th century, a new church with a characteristic belfry on a preslic was built, and after a fire in 1875, the current parish church of Our Lady of the Island was built in 1878. Today, the foundations of medieval churches are clearly visible on the site – a true paradise for archaeologists and history lovers. However, Gospin Otok is not just an archaeological pearl. After the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1998, this place became a symbol of religious and national identity, where thousands of believers gather every year, especially on the feast of the Assumption on August 15. One interesting fact that you may not have known: in 1976, a great celebration was held on Gospin Otok to mark 1300 years of Christianity in Croatia, and then a procession with the image of Our Lady of the Croatian Baptismal Vow passed through Solin - an event that went down in history. The latest addition to this historical complex is the modern Basilica of the Holy Family, completed in 2020, which in a special way combines millennial tradition and contemporary spirituality.