CHURCH FORTRESS OF SAINT MARY OF MERCY, VRBOSKA ISLAND HVAR

Today I'm sharing with you an amazing historical fortress that is also a church. The Church of St. Mary of Mercy is not the only historical church on island Hvar, but it is definitely one of the most impressive ones. What makes it so special is that it is a true fortress.  In addition, the church of Saint Mary of Mercy is very unique in its design, a true rarity among European fortress churches. This church is the most beautiful and impressive architectural site in Vrboska. During the tourist season, the church of Saint Mary of Mercy is open from 10 am to noon and from 6 to 7 pm but in low season you should announce your visit to the parish office. The church fort of Saint Mary in Vrboska is quite a sight! We only glanced at it from outside, but I do plan to come inside as well. I have already blogged about village Vrboska (read my posts here and here). Today I'll focus specifically on this amazing fortress church that you can find in this picturesque village. I also have a ballpoint pen fashion sketch to share with you. This time I illustrated an outfit I wore on that particular day. 
THE FORTRESS CHURCH OF MARY OF MERCY- AN INTERESTING HISTORY
 This beautiful church dates back to the 16th century. It was erected in 1572, following a Turkish attack on the Vrboska village during which an older church from 15th century was destroyed. In fact,  the Ottomans didn't just destroy the old church, they also burned this village to the ground. So, the locals set to build a fortress church. The construction continued for many years until it was finally finished. This church is a relic from the times when the Ottomans raided these lands and Croatia was one of the last bastions of Christendom. Like some other Slavic countries, Croatia had fought a war with the Ottoman Empire that lasted for centuries. The soldiers of the Ottoman Empire regularly killed or enslaved locals, burned city and villages to the ground, so fortified walls and strong fortresses were a necessity. You can read more about it in my other posts about island Hvar. There are quite a few fortified villas and churches on island Hvar. This one is perhaps the most majestic of them all because it is more than just a fortified church, it's a real fortress church. It is definitely worth a visit. In addition, this church can boost with some valuable works of art, most notably a number of historical paintings. 


MORE POSTS ABOUT ISLAND HVAR 
1. INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CHURCH OF SAINT STEPHEN, STARI GRAD
2. VISITING BASINA BAY ON ISLAND HVAR
3. ADVENT IN STARI GRAD: TWO OUTFIT PROPOSALS
4.STARI GRAD IN AUTUMN: WHAT TO WEAR FOR SIGHT SEEING?
5.VISIT STARI GRAD ON ISLAND HVAR WITH ME
6. INSIDE OF A RENAISSANCE VILLA OF PETAR HEKTOROVIC
7.VRBOSKA (AKA LITTLE VENICE) ON ISLAND HVAR
8.TARTAN BLAZER AND A GUIDE TO JELSA
9. A BEACH OUTFIT FEATURING A CHERRY PRINT A LINE DRESS
10. ISLAND HIKING OUTFIT FEATURING A GEOMETRIC PRINT DRESS
11.A SEASIDE PAINTING INSPIRED BY BAY TORAC
12.A STRIPED ROMPER AND A CAPER FLOWER
13. MY TOP CROATIAN DESTINATIONS OF YEAR 2019
14. TORAC BAY, ISLAND HVAR
15. VISITING SUĆURAJ ON ISLAND HVAR
16. CLIMBING THE FORTRESS IN HVAR CITY
17. PERFECTLY VALID REASONS FOR VISITING HVAR IN WINTER TIME
18. VISIT MALA STINIVA BAY ON ISLAND HVAR PART 1
19. VISIT MALA STINIVA ON ISLAND HVAR PART 2
20. THE CHURCH OF SAINT GEORGE, GDINJ
21. BAY TORAC, ISLAND HVAR IN SUMMER
22. NECKLACE INSPIRED BY GDINJ, ISLAND HVAR
23. IN FRONT OF MY GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE



Thank you for reading and visiting. Do you know of any interesting historical sights? What is the most interesting church you have ever seen? Have you ever been in a fortified church? Have a lovely day!

Comments

  1. Ananka29 January 2020 at 10:29

    Looks like a nice place to visit. We have lots of lovely places in Scotland - just not the weather honestly so bad here!!!! Always raining.

    I love your outfit too - you look great with the lilac top :-D And lovely sketches :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split29 January 2020 at 11:34

      I'd love to visit castles in Scotland some day. I know there are lots of them.

      Delete
  2. Jointy&Croissanty29 January 2020 at 10:52

    Such a wonderful place and that church looks really amazing!
    You look so lovely in this outfit, these colors suit you so well!:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Klara van Pure29 January 2020 at 11:40

    wow amazing place <3

    ReplyDelete
  4. La ilusión de Nina29 January 2020 at 11:47

    So nice place dear!! And nice post!;)
    Have a great day! xx

    La ilusión de Nina - http://lailusiondenina.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  5. W trybie offline29 January 2020 at 12:14

    Chciałabym tam być :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jodie's Touch of Style29 January 2020 at 16:21

    It's amazing to hear these stories Ivana. Especially when you consider how long it takes to build something like this.
    XOOX
    Jodie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split30 January 2020 at 13:11

      Yes, indeed it took them quite a while. While the time they finished, the Turks have lost much of their power and weren't an immediate threat.

      Delete
  7. Sheila29 January 2020 at 18:58

    What an amazing place! The most awe-inspiring church I've ever been in was Notre Dame de Paris. I'm so glad I got to see it before that awful fire.

    I love your pictures, and laughed with delight at your drawings of your outfit, posed the same way! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Evi Erlinda29 January 2020 at 21:55

    Another beautiful building in Vrboska. The wall looks unique.
    I like your outfit.

    ReplyDelete
  9. www.chicute.com29 January 2020 at 22:36

    You are very beautiful. Thanks for sharing trend 2020 women fashion

    ReplyDelete
  10. Mica29 January 2020 at 22:52

    I've never seen a fortress church before - it looks so interesting and not what I'd expect a church to look like! I like your purple knit too with the fun printed skirt :)

    Hope that you are having a great week :)

    Away From Blue

    ReplyDelete
  11. Allie jane30 January 2020 at 00:01

    Looks very pretty, you would love the temples in japan were I live simply beautiful whatever time of the year

    ReplyDelete
  12. The Dainty Dolls House30 January 2020 at 01:29

    Beautiful!!! I love seeing castles from all over, so wonderful. You look incredible too :)) Happy Thursday lovely x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split30 January 2020 at 13:50

      I'd love to visit Scotland's castles some day. I hope I will get the chance.

      Delete
  13. Lovely30 January 2020 at 03:02

    Such a marvellous place , you look fab darling.


    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ann30 January 2020 at 04:04

    What a marvelous structure and such a unique place for a church.
    Love your pics.

    Ann
    https://roomsofinspiration.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  15. Dressed With Soul30 January 2020 at 06:10

    I think the most impressing church I haver saw is in our neighbour village. It is an basilica from the 11th century. But also this church resp. fortress is a very impressing building. And I like your outfit with the pale lilac sweater a lot!
    xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
    www.dressedwithsoul.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Carrrolina30 January 2020 at 07:28

    Very interesting post! I have never been there.


    Carrrolina Blog-klik

    ReplyDelete
  17. Silvia Negretti30 January 2020 at 07:38

    Ma è veramente impressionate quella Chiesa! Ne ho viste di simili, anche in Croazia, ma credo di non averne mai vista mai una così grande e fortificata!
    Vivendo a Roma (ed in Italia), come immaginerai, di Chiese bellissime ce ne sono quante ne vuoi, però hanno tutte uno stile molto diverso da questa!
    Molto molto carino anche il tuo outfit, mi piace tantissimo soprattuto l'abbinamento di colori, e trovo che la linea di quella gonna ti stia davvero bene! Sei carinissima!
    Baci!
    S
    https://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Selvaggia Capizzi30 January 2020 at 08:02

    Che spettacolo, sembra una cattedrale nel deserto! E quanto mi piace il tuo look!
    Don't Call Me Fashion Blogger
    Facebook
    Bloglovin'

    ReplyDelete
  19. Polyester Princess30 January 2020 at 10:59

    I'd never heard of a church fort, but how impressive it is. We have quite a few interesting churches and other building nearby, my favourite being a baroque church in Antwerp. But there are so many others. Like you, I'm a bit of a history buff, and can never resist stepping inside a church. It's fascinating how your incorporated those fun byro drawings in your photo montages! Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead, Ivana. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split30 January 2020 at 14:44

      I'd love to visit it. Baroque churches fascinate me. I definitely can't resist stepping inside of a church. I've been known to stop friends driving when I saw a historical church that seems worth a visit.

      Delete
  20. Rowena @ rolala loves30 January 2020 at 13:34

    How fascinating that this is a church combined with a fortress but after reading your account of the history behind it, it totally makes sense why it was built in that manner. Thank you for this very interesting lesson today Ivana! You look lovely as always!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Ivana Split30 January 2020 at 14:58

    Hvala ti Alec, nadam se da ćeš ga posjetiti uskoro. Hvar je divan otok.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Jyoti31 January 2020 at 00:32

    This place is so beautiful and so are you! Nice Post! Have a great day!
    Allurerage
    Rampdiary

    ReplyDelete
  23. Carolyna's world31 January 2020 at 02:29

    This church looks so amazing, love it. Little bit similar churches I have seen in UK :-)
    You look so lovely in this outfit.

    Of course when I Will be in Hvar I will let you know and we can meet each other :-D

    Have a lovely weekend dear xx

    ReplyDelete
  24. FASHION TALES31 January 2020 at 08:07

    This is a pretty outfit, Ivana. I love the elongation of the look with the tall boots and slender skirt. I have a fondness for churches every time that I travel I like capturing them and learning the history of the building. Great post.<3
    FASHION TALES

    ReplyDelete
  25. Kezzie31 January 2020 at 13:43

    It's a beautiful place! You have so much beautiful historical scenery around you!
    I love the shades of sky that you are wearing.x

    ReplyDelete
  26. Pablo Parra (Fungi)3 February 2020 at 08:41

    Oooh what a wonderful place and an interesting history behind, I always like to check data before going to a place (even tho some of them are unexpected visits) but also investigate more after the visit, I always find something new! This place looks like many fortress around in Spain, there are many things that I can see here talking about the architectural details :)

    And your outfit in lilac is so cool, I've been looking for garments in these colors for so long but I couldn't catch them yet!

    Pablo
    www.heyfungi.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivana Split3 February 2020 at 12:14

      Yes, it does remind me of churches in Spain. Thank you! Lilac is a great colour.

      Delete

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All your comments mean a lot to me, even the criticism. Naravno da mi puno znači što ste uzeli vrijeme da nešto napišete, pa makar to bila i kritika. Per me le vostre parole sono sempre preziose anche quando si tratta di critiche.

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