Description

The little church of St. Anthony stands on the hill above the town, right next to the wall of the Kaštel. The facade looks on a spacious square in front of it. It is fairly simple, with a typical Dalmatian type of belfry (it's called "preslica"). The north and east walls of the church lean on the castle walls, and on the south wall there is a half-moon window, typical of the Baroque style in the region. The interior has a simple, rectangular plan, furnished with a Baroque style altar.

History

The church of St. Anthony belonged to the parish of Perušiæ until 1743. It is believed to be erected simultaneously with the adjoining castle, because that type of fortress was inconceivable without a church or chapel nearby.

Facade

 

Facade

Belfry

Interior

Altar

History

The church probably underwent considerable alterations at the time of its restoration in 1726. Restorations and adaptions of buildings in the Baroque period didn't use to respect the gothic character of the older, Gothic style that the church was originally built in. The new altar of St. Anthony was built in 1743, when Benkovac became the seat of a chaplain. In the 19th century Benkovac saw an increase of the population, and was promoted to a parish.