Municipality of Biskupija: Churches, Archaeological Sites and Landscape

The Municipality of Biskupija lies in Kosovsko Polje, south of Knin, and is known for the remains of numerous early Christian churches. Other notable historical features include medieval archaeological sites and a Roman villa in Orlić. The area’s history thus spans archaeological evidence dating from the 2nd century to finds from the late 8th century and later centuries. The river and karst landscape also provide their own points of reference when exploring the area.

Churches and archaeological sites

Crkvina is the largest archaeological site in the Municipality of Biskupija. Around 400 graves dating from the late 8th to the 15th century have been found there. This long timespan clearly distinguishes Crkvina from the Villa Rustica in Orlić, whose remains date from the 2nd century. The Biskupija Archaeological Park is described as the most significant archaeological site in Croatian national history and as Croatia’s largest medieval archaeological site.

Lopuška Glavica and Stupovi are also associated with early church buildings. The foundations of a single-nave church dating from the 9th century, along with several graves containing rich grave goods, were found at Lopuška Glavica. Stupovi is associated with the remains of a basilica dating from the 9th or 10th century. It had a bell tower on its façade, and the basilica is probably dedicated to Saint Cecilia. Both sites are designated protected archaeological cultural heritage in Biskupija.

The earliest depiction of the Virgin Mary in Croatian art was found in the Church of Saint Mary. A memorial church was built on its foundations between 1937 and 1938, based on a design by Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović. The Church of Our Lady in Biskupija is designated protected immovable cultural property. The Church of Saint Luke in Uzdolje has the same protected status. These different associations help place the early Christian church remains and the later memorial and protected buildings as distinct chapters in the area’s history.

Another historical connection is the Diocese of Knin, founded in 1040. The Bishop of Knin resided in the historic settlement of Pet crikvah na Kosovi, which is identified with present-day Biskupija. This connection adds a history of the settlement as an episcopal seat to the archaeological finds.

Roman remains and historic sites

At the Villa Rustica in Orlić, the foundations of the residential and agricultural sections can be seen. The site consists of the remains of a Roman villa dating from the 2nd century. The visible distinction between the residential and agricultural sections gives the site a tangible architectural dimension, while the villa remains clearly distinct in date from the early Christian and medieval sites.

The Roman road from Bobodol to Vrbnik is designated protected archaeological cultural heritage in Biskupija. Bračića Fortress was built in the 14th century. Because of its location, it was mostly used as a lookout point over the surrounding area. Bračića Fortress adds another historical connection to the church sites.

Kosovsko Polje and the landscape

The Kosovčica is a 12.5-kilometer-long left tributary of the Krka and flows through Kosovsko Polje. Velika Promina rises above the municipality’s western karst plateau. The river, plain and karst plateau therefore offer different points of reference for placing the historic sites in their landscape.

The Šarena jezera, near Knin on the way to Biskupija, provide a nearby point of reference. You can consider the municipality in terms of different interests when planning your trip: Crkvina represents finds spanning a long period, the Villa Rustica offers insight into Roman architecture, while the Kosovčica and Velika Promina add landscape features to explore.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Zvjerinac, Biskupija, Municipality of Ervenik, Municipality of Vodice, Municipality of Tisno, Municipality of Primošten, Municipality of Skradin, Municipality of Šibenik

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