St Peter's Church in Nečujam – An Ancient Sacred Site Near the House of Marko Marulić

When departing from the centre of Nečujam towards the older part of the village, it takes only a few minutes to reach the remains of St Peter's Church, one of the most significant historical sites in Nečujam. The church is situated very close to the House of Marko Marulić, although it is not directly adjacent. Between them lies a road and a building that once housed the café bar Choovita, making the two landmarks part of the same small historical area that can be explored during a short walk.

The original St Peter's Church has primarily preserved its apse, foundations, and low sections of stone walls. As a result, the site may appear modest at first glance, particularly to visitors expecting a well-preserved church building with a bell tower and a decorated interior. Nevertheless, it represents an important remnant of old Nečujam and is one of the few places in the settlement that directly testify to its history prior to the development of the current tourist area.

It is important to distinguish the ruins of the historical St Peter's Church from the less well-preserved chapel that currently stands nearby. This building is not the original St Peter's Church, but a newer votive church dedicated to Our Lady, also known as Gospa Ostrovska. The historical St Peter's Church is located next to it, but it has been preserved solely as an archaeological and conservation site.

The old church is most often dated to the late Middle Ages, approximately the 14th or 15th century. It was constructed from hewn stone, with the best-preserved feature being the semi-circular apse, which includes part of the former sanctuary. The foundations of the side walls are visible alongside the apse, while traces of ancient frescoes have been found on certain surfaces. The site is protected, and documentation, conservation work, and restoration have been carried out to preserve the remaining parts of the structure.

St Peter's Church is also connected to Dujmo Balistrilić, a nobleman from Split, a priest, and a friend and godfather of Marko Marulić. Balistrilić owned property and a summer residence in Nečujam, the present-day House of Marko Marulić, and historical sources link him to the patronage of St Peter's Church. During his stays in Šolta, Marulić would lodge with him, so although the church and the house are not immediate neighbours, they belong to the same narrative of old Nečujam and Croatian Renaissance literature.

When both locations are visited together, it becomes easier to imagine what this part of the village looked like before the construction of apartments, the coastal promenade, and the main tourist settlement. In Marulić's time, the peaceful cove was home to only the church, the summer residence, gardens, and a small number of houses. Today, the main beach Supetar, also known as Nečujam Beach, shops, and other amenities are very close by, but the area around the church still retains the quieter character of the old settlement.

In the vicinity of the church, traces of older buildings have also been discovered, including fragments of ancient pottery, a stone pavement, and remnants of a wall. This suggests that the area may have been used long before the medieval church was established. Some scholarly sources even mention the possibility of remains from an early Christian building, but this has not been sufficiently researched to confidently present the ruins as an early Christian church. It is safest to refer to the medieval St Peter's Church built on a site with even older archaeological traces.

Access to the site from the main beach area involves a short walk along an asphalt road through the residential part of Nečujam. It is not a remote landmark outside the village, nor is a drive along a gravel road necessary to reach it. One can get close by car or scooter, but there is no large designated parking area immediately next to the church.

The most practical option is to leave the vehicle in a public parking area or available space near the main beach and centre of Nečujam, and then continue on foot. The immediate area around the church, surrounding houses, and the former café bar is not suitable for a large number of cars, so care should be taken not to block the road or private entrances.

The remains of the church can be viewed from the outside without an entrance fee and without specific opening hours. The site is not a conventional museum with a reception, guide, or permanent exhibition. Visitors should not enter the ruins or climb on the old walls, as they are sensitive and under conservation protection. The best views can be obtained by walking around the exterior, particularly from the area in front of the apse and alongside the newer votive chapel.

A visit to the site typically takes about fifteen minutes, but it is worthwhile to combine it with a visit to the House of Marko Marulić. The two locations are separated by only a short stretch of road, making it easy to include them in the same walk from the centre of Nečujam. Nearby, there are the main beach, cafés, shops, and other amenities, so a full-day excursion is not necessary for the visit.

St Peter's Church is not a landmark that impresses with its size, but rather a site whose value is revealed through its connection to old Nečujam, Dujmo Balistrilić, and Marko Marulić's time in Šolta. The preserved apse and stone foundations serve as a reminder that this part of the village played an important role centuries before Nečujam became a well-known holiday destination.