Description

The church of St. Michael in Vukšić was originally Romanesque, but it has come down to us in its modified form. The sanctuary of the present church is its Romanesque stage. During a much later extension work its round apse was pulled down and the old church was turned into the new one's sanctuary. Much like the similar churches in the area - St. John in Banjevci, Archangel Michael in Miranje and St. Petka in Kolarina - the church in Vukšić also had a barrel vaulted nave.

HIstory

The church of St. Michael was mentioned by friar Ivan de Vietri in 1708. In 1718 it was declared the parish church and it held this status, together with St. Peter's, until 1735. It didn't sustain too much damage during the Turkish occupation. It went through several restorations during its history. It is possible that the oldest, Romanesque, part of the building was erected on remains of an even older structure, but it can only be determined by archaeological excavation work.

South west

Facade

Apse

Cemetery

The cemetery around St. Michael is considered to be very old. There are traces of a villa rustica - an example of Roman rural architecture. It is suspected that this is the site of an early Christian church, but archaeological excavations haven't been carried out yet. Quite a few old tombstones have been preserved and the most prominent is a large stone cross. Beside the catholic graveyard, there's also that of the Orthodox.

Cross

Info

  • Nikola Jakšić: Benkovac i okolica u srednjem vijeku
  • Ivo Petricioli: Spomenici romaničke i gotičke arhitekture u benkovačkom kraju