Chapel of St. Anthony

Silba is a long, narrow island in the Zadar archipelago, about two hours by ferry from the city of Zadar, and it is one of the most peaceful inhabited islands in Croatia, with almost no motor traffic and a small permanent population. The Chapel of St. Anthony is one of several small religious buildings on the island, and it is typical of the way that Silba's community has marked its landscape with modest places of prayer. Published information on this particular chapel is limited, so this description concentrates on the setting and the kind of place it is.

The island was settled for centuries by farmers and sailors, and in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Silba was known for its seafarers and shipowners, who sailed in merchant vessels across the Mediterranean and beyond and who brought back wealth that they spent on houses and churches. The island has several historic churches and chapels, and the people of Silba have kept a strong tradition of religious festivals, with processions and gatherings on saints' days. A chapel dedicated to St. Anthony, a saint associated with protection of animals, travellers and the poor, would fit that tradition, and visitors may notice a candle burning or fresh flowers on the altar.

Small chapels like this are usually simple stone buildings with a pitched roof, a plain doorway and a modest bell gable, standing alone at the edge of a village or in the fields among dry-stone walls, and the interior is bare and quiet, with a single altar, a few benches and some images or statues. They are often open to anyone who wants to step inside, with no fixed hours and no entrance fee, and visitors should enter quietly and leave things as they found them. The chapel is also a destination for a walk, since the paths across Silba lead between the village and various chapels, beaches and viewpoints.

The island's paths are lined with old stone walls, shaded by Aleppo pines and holm oaks, and covered with fragrant herbs. Walking or cycling on them is the best way to find the chapel and to appreciate the island's calm. Silba has beaches of sand and pebbles, a small harbour and a few restaurants serving fresh seafood, and its famous stone tower, built as a lookout, is a point of interest. Facilities are limited, so bring water, food, cash and sun protection, and book accommodation early in summer.

Allow fifteen minutes for the chapel itself and a half day for the walk. The chapel suits walkers, cyclists and people who like quiet, simple sacred places. Dress modestly, and respect the stillness of the place.