Franciscan Monastery in Sućuraj – The Oldest Preserved Building in the Area
The Franciscan monastery, alongside the parish church of St. George, is one of the most historically significant structures in Sućuraj. Although it is now referred to as the Franciscan Monastery, its history predates the arrival of the Franciscans; it originally belonged to the Augustinians, and local historical sources place its beginnings in the early Middle Ages.
For this reason, the monastery is more intriguing than one might conclude from merely viewing it from the outside. The current stone structure has undergone numerous renovations and alterations, yet it remains the oldest well-preserved building in Sućuraj that is still in use today.
The most important evidence of its age can be found above the entrance. A Latin inscription attests that the monastery of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine was restored in 1309. This indicates that the monastery existed prior to the early 14th century, regardless of how precisely one can determine the time of its original construction.
Once Augustinian, Now Franciscan Monastery
The current name may easily give the impression that the Franciscans built the monastery from the outset, but the history tells a different story.
The earliest community associated with this site were the Augustinians – Hermits of St. Augustine. Their presence is also linked to the old church of St. George, which was located immediately adjacent to the monastery.
According to local historical tradition, the Augustinian monastery in Sućuraj existed as early as the 9th century. There is no equally solid written evidence for such an early date as there is for later periods, so it is best understood as a traditionally accepted history of the site.
What is certain and visible on the building itself is the inscription regarding the restoration from 1309.
Today, the monastery is home to the Franciscans of the Province of Bosnia Srebrena, making the name Franciscan Monastery entirely justified for its current function.
The Inscription from 1309
One of the most valuable details can be found above the entrance doors.
The Latin inscription states that:
the monastery of the Order of Brothers Hermits of St. Augustine was restored in 1309.
The word “restored” is particularly significant as it clearly indicates that the building did not originate in that year; rather, the monastery had already existed prior to that time.
Local historical records indicate that it was set ablaze by pirates from Omis around 1280, and the restoration was completed in 1309.
For visitors, this small stone inscription may be the most important detail of the entire structure – it is one of the few places in Sućuraj where medieval history can literally be read on the building itself.
The Monastery and the Old Church of St. George
The history of the monastery is closely linked to St. George, the patron saint of Sućuraj.
In the courtyard of the current parish church, the foundations of the older church of St. George can still be seen. In the 13th century, the Augustinians built a new church dedicated to St. George on the site of an even older church, which is explicitly mentioned in the Statute of Hvar from 1331.
It is from the old form of the name Sut Juraj that the current name Sućuraj has evolved over time.
The old church was demolished due to dilapidation at the end of the 19th century, when the current parish church of St. George was built next to it in 1897.
Thus, it makes sense to consider the monastery, the foundations of the old church, and the current church of St. George as one historical complex.
Roman Mosaic Found at the Site of the Monastery
The most intriguing evidence that this area was significant long before the Middle Ages is preserved in the treasury of the parish office.
At the site of the current monastery, a large fragment of Roman white mosaic was discovered, which is now kept in the monastery's or parish treasury.
This find indicates that the area was used as far back as antiquity, long before the establishment of the Augustinian monastery and the medieval church.
This fits well into the broader archaeological picture of Sućuraj, where Roman remains, amphorae from shipwrecks, and traces of older settlements have been found at several locations.
Parish Archive
The monastery is not only a historical building but also an active church facility.
It houses a parish office with important archival material, which adds further value to the study of the history of Sućuraj and its surrounding settlements.
Such archives often preserve registers, records about the parish, families, church events, and other local occurrences that cannot be found in standard tourist sources.
The archive, of course, is not a tourist exhibition open for casual viewing; it is a working part of the monastery and parish office.
Franciscans of Bosnia Srebrena
Today, the monastery is home to the Franciscans of the Franciscan Province of Bosnia Srebrena.
From Sućuraj, they carry out pastoral duties for the parishes of Sućuraj, Bogomolje, and Gdinj, covering a large part of eastern Hvar.
This is an interesting continuation of the long monastic tradition of this place. Over the centuries, monastic communities have changed, but the monastery has not become an abandoned monument – it still plays a real role in the life of the local community.
Restoration in 1994
The monastery has been destroyed, altered, and restored multiple times over the centuries.
The last major reconstruction took place in 1994, when the building was thoroughly renovated for continued use.
Due to numerous restorations, the current appearance should not be interpreted as a completely preserved building from a single historical period. The value of the monastery lies precisely in its continuity – the same space has been used for centuries and has adapted over time to different communities and needs.
The Oldest Well-Preserved Building in Sućuraj
The municipality of Sućuraj lists the monastery as the oldest well-preserved building in the area.
This distinguishes it from many other historical sites in Sućuraj that have been preserved only as foundations or ruins.
Fortica suffered significant damage in 1944, the old church of St. George was demolished at the end of the 19th century, and the Bishop's Palace also disappeared during the Second World War. The monastery, despite numerous destructions and restorations, has remained functional.
For this reason, it is one of the best places to understand how deeply the history of Sućuraj actually reaches into the past.
Can the Monastery be Visited?
The Franciscan monastery is not a conventional museum.
It is home to Franciscans, houses the parish office, and is used daily. Therefore, one should not expect unrestricted access to all rooms, the archive, or the treasury.
The best way to view the monastery is from the outside, alongside the church of St. George and the remains of the old church in the courtyard. If entry or organised tours of certain areas are possible, current parish guidelines and the privacy of the monastic community should be respected.
For a tourist visit, the historical complex itself, the entrance with the inscription from 1309, and the direct connection to the old and current church of St. George are the most significant aspects.
Location in Old Sućuraj
The monastery is situated in the historic part of Sućuraj, right next to the parish church of St. George.
It can be reached within a few minutes on foot from the waterfront and the town centre. A car is not necessary, and it is actually much more pleasant to explore the entire old Sućuraj on foot.
In a short walk, one can connect:
Franciscan Monastery
Church of St. George
Remains of the Old Church of St. George
Fortica
Church of St. Anthony
The Old Town Centre and Waterfront
This provides a much better understanding of the development of the area than visiting each building separately.
Parking
The monastery does not have a tourist car park immediately at the entrance.
If arriving in Sućuraj by car, it is best to leave it at a public parking area available in the wider vicinity of the centre and continue on foot.
The old town centre is small, and the streets around the monastery are not suitable for searching for parking just a few metres from the landmark.
Useful Information
Location: Old part of Sućuraj, next to the parish church of St. George
Current Name: Franciscan Monastery
Historical Name: Augustinian Monastery / Monastery of the Hermits of St. Augustine
Origins: According to local tradition, likely 9th century
Earliest Solid Evidence on the Building: Inscription regarding restoration from 1309
Monastic Community Today: Franciscans of the Province of Bosnia Srebrena
Parishes Served: Sućuraj, Bogomolje, and Gdinj
Last Major Restoration: 1994
Notable Features: Latin inscription from 1309, parish archive, and fragment of Roman white mosaic
Status: Active monastery and parish office
Free Tourist Access to the Interior: Not a standard museum object
Access: On foot from the centre of Sućuraj
Parking: Public spaces in the wider vicinity of the centre
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