300-year-old Rogoznica tradition gets official recognition
- by croatiaweek
- in News
(Photo credit: Rogoznica Tourist Board)
A tradition which has taken place for the past 300 years in the tourist village of Rogoznica on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast has now received official recognition.
The pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Chapel, a symbol of faith and unity for the people of Rogoznica, has now been listed in the Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Croatia as part of the Adriatic maritime pilgrimages.
The annual return of the painting of Our Lady by boat from the Parish Church to the Chapel on the Gradina peninsula is accompanied by a procession on land and at sea and takes place in July.
(Photo credit: Rogoznica Tourist Board)
According to the local legend, a fisherman fishing on the Gradina peninsula saw an unusual light. As he approached he saw a sacred painting depicting the Virgin Mary visiting Elizabeth.
He even took the painting home three times, but it always inexplicably returned to the same place.
The people of Rogoznica interpreted this as Our Lady’s sign, so they built a chapel at that place as a sign of worship.
This significant achievement is the result of an initiative by the Rogoznica Tourist Board, which recognised the need to preserve this valuable tradition.
(Photo credit: Rogoznica Tourist Board)
The process was supported by Republic, a company specialising in heritage presentation and interpretation, along with Mirna Vulin and Marko Barišić.
The team of experts included Marija Krnčević, an external collaborator, ethnologist, and senior curator at the Šibenik City Museum, whose invaluable expertise played a key role in the application process.
(Photo credit: Rogoznica Tourist Board)
She conducted extensive research into the tradition of Rogoznica’s pilgrimage.
“This recognition highlights the importance of heritage for all of us – not merely as a connection to our past but as a foundation we build for future generations,” said Ivan Ramljak, Director of the Rogoznica Tourist Board.
The Rogoznica pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Chapel has been registered under number Z-7864 as part of the Adriatic maritime pilgrimages, alongside Murter, Nin, Kali, and Sali.
(Photo credit: Rogoznica Tourist Board)
The findings from the research into the pilgrimage were published in the monograph “To Our Beloved Lady”, which was launched at the end of November at the Rogoznica Cultural Centre.
