Gregory of Nin
0
You are standing in front of one of the most famous monuments in Split – the statue of Gregory of Nin, a masterpiece by Ivan Meštrović that symbolizes the fight for the Croatian language and identity. This imposing bishop with his hand raised is not just a sculpture – he is a sign of the Croatian cultural revival. Gregory of Nin was a famous 10th-century bishop of Nin, known as one of the most important Croatian church figures who stood out as an advocate for the introduction of the Old Croatian language and the Glagolitic script into church worship, opposing the then exclusive use of the Latin language imposed by the Roman Church. In doing so, he significantly contributed to the preservation of Croatian linguistic identity, cultural tradition and literacy. It is historically confirmed that he had the support of the Croatian King Tomislav, and after the church councils held in Split in 925 and 928, his diocese was abolished, and he was transferred to the diocese in Skradin. The image of Gregory of Nin is immortalized in a famous monument – a monumental bronze sculpture created by the world-renowned Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović. The monument was created and originally erected in 1929 on Split’s Peristyle, the main city square, but after World War II it was temporarily removed and later permanently relocated to its current location right next to the Golden Gate, the northern entrance to the historic center of Split. This statue, about 8.5 meters high, is considered one of the most recognizable and beloved symbols of the city, an indispensable part of its cultural and tourist offer. The most famous and interesting detail of the statue is Gregory of Nin’s left thumb. According to local legend, visitors who touch and rub this thumb and make a wish will have their wish come true. It is precisely because of this tradition that tens of thousands of visitors touch the statue every year, and for decades it has been visible that the thumb has been worn to a shine and is more brilliant than the rest of the statue, which symbolically confirms its importance in folk tradition and popularity. Outside Split, Meštrović created two more monuments to Gregory of Nin – in Varaždin and his native Nin, but it is the Split statue that is the most recognizable and most painted.