St. Anastasia Church (Crkva svete Stošije)

The Church of St. Anastasia, called Sveta Stošija in the local form, is one of the historic churches in the centre of Biograd na Moru, the busy holiday town on the coast of northern Dalmatia, between Zadar and Šibenik. Biograd is today a place of beaches, marinas and boat trips, but its name, which means white city, belongs to a much older identity. In the eleventh century, the town was the residence of Croatian kings and one of the most important cities of the early medieval Croatian state, and the area around the church is part of that historical core.

The present church dates from the middle of the eighteenth century, with its construction usually placed in the early 1760s. It is a Baroque building, of modest size, and the style is visible in its restrained facade and in the altars inside. The interior is decorated with altars of gilded wood in the typical Baroque manner, with carved columns, statues and painted panels, and the atmosphere is light and warm. Anastasia, the saint to whom the church is dedicated, is a martyr of the early Christian period who was honoured in the Adriatic region, notably in Zadar, where her relics are kept in the cathedral, and the dedication reflects the close links between the two towns.

The town's medieval past was largely erased in 1125, when Venice destroyed Biograd, and for centuries the settlement was small, so most of what stands in the old part today comes from the Baroque and later periods. This makes the church a useful marker of the town's rebirth, and it sits in a part of town where archaeologists have uncovered traces of the earlier city, including the foundations of a large early medieval church and a bishop's complex. The town museum, which tells this story, is a good complement to the church, and local guides can explain how the royal city once looked.

Biograd has plenty of other things to offer within walking distance. The waterfront promenade, the Riva, is lined with cafes and restaurants, and the city park, the church of St. Roch and the marina are all listed in this guide. Soline beach, with its pine shade and gentle water, is a short walk away. From Biograd, boat trips leave for the Kornati islands, for Pašman and Ugljan, and for Telašćica nature park, and Vrana Lake lies inland.

Opening hours depend on services, so the church may be closed at other times, though the exterior and square are always accessible. Dress modestly, keep quiet and avoid visiting during services unless you are attending. Allow fifteen to thirty minutes. The church suits visitors who like to look beyond the beach at the history of the town.