St. Nicholas Monastery

The monastery of Saint Nicholas, in Trogir

The Benedictine monastery of Saint Nicholas is the only female monastery still active of Trogir, founded in the eleventh century. The Trogir audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this place of faith nearly a millennium old, dedicated to the protector of sailors, whose baroque church and the famous Kairos Collection, around a rare Greek bas-relief of the god of the opportune moment, tell the spiritual and artistic history of the city.

History

Here is the entrance of the Benedictine monastery of Saint Nicholas. Founded in 1064 by Saint Ivan, a monk become bishop, it is today the only female monastery still active of the city. First dedicated to Saint Domnius, it took the name of Saint Nicholas, protector of sailors, thanks to the fishermen who came to pray there near the port. The church, rebuilt and enlarged over the centuries, took its baroque appearance in the eighteenth century, with a single nave adorned with stuccoes and large windows. The monastery also shelters the famous Kairos Collection, whose centrepiece is a Greek bas-relief of the third century before our era representing Kairos, the god of the opportune moment. You also discover there medieval icons, paintings of Venetian masters, liturgical objects and precious lace made by the nuns. More than a monument, the monastery of Saint Nicholas is a living place, witness of nearly a millennium of faith and culture in Trogir. You will visit it with respect, in the calm and contemplation that suit a religious community still in activity.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, the only female monastery still active of Trogir, founded in 1064 and dedicated to Saint Nicholas, protector of sailors; its baroque church and the famous Kairos Collection, around a rare Greek bas-relief of the god of the opportune moment, gather icons, Venetian paintings and lace of the nuns. The monastery of Saint Nicholas is a place of millennial faith, to be visited with respect. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The monastery of Saint Nicholas lies in the old town of Trogir, near the port, reachable on foot. It is a female monastery in activity sheltering the Kairos Collection; the access is made in respect and contemplation, and the hours of visit vary. It is best to enquire before coming and to adopt correct attire.

What is the Kairos Collection at the monastery of Saint Nicholas of Trogir?

It is the art collection of the monastery, whose centrepiece is a rare Greek bas-relief of the third century before our era representing Kairos, the god of the opportune moment; there are also found medieval icons, paintings of Venetian masters, liturgical objects and lace of the nuns, in this female Benedictine monastery founded in 1064 and still active.

Where is the monastery of Saint Nicholas in Trogir?

In the old town of Trogir, near the port, in Croatia.