Discover Otavice

If you are interested in Ivan Meštrović and sacred architecture, Otavice offers a specific cultural focus for planning your trip. The Church of the Most Holy Redeemer and the history of the village are at its heart. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Otavice, you can use these themes as a starting point for your own planning.

The Church of the Most Holy Redeemer

The Crkva Presvetog Otkupitelja, the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, was built from local stone between 1928 and 1930 as the Meštrović family tomb. Its architecture combines Romanesque, early Christian and Mediterranean traditions. Inside, the fittings include altar reliefs and sculptures, among them a monumental Christ. The church is also the final resting place of Ivan Meštrović and his closest family members, including his parents and siblings, his wife Olga and their children.

For a closer introduction, guided information visits lasting 45 minutes are available by prior arrangement. Arrange the tour before your arrival. Vehicles can drive up to the church entrance; visitors with mobility difficulties can also reach the entrance. This information refers to access to the entrance, not to other areas.

Meštrović’s history in Otavice

The sculptor Ivan Meštrović lived in Otavice until he was 16. The Meštrović family home remains at the centre of the village. In the wider destination of Općina Ružić, the church is a ten-minute walk from the family home. This allows you to consider two places closely connected with the family as part of the village’s history.

The former malaria station was also built immediately next to the family home; the building was later damaged. Another part of the area’s architectural history is the former primary school in Otavice, which is considered an object of cultural-historical and architectural value. Both examples add to the picture of the village’s built heritage without displacing the church and the Meštrović family home as its main focus.

Otavice in the wider destination of Općina Ružić

Otavice lies on the eastern edge of Petrovo polje. Petrovo polje forms the central part of Općina Ružić, which lies between the Svilaja and Moseć mountains. Behind Otavice rises Svilaja, with its pastures and forests. The Čikola flows through Petrovo polje; near Otavice, the Otavac stream flows into the river. These geographical features provide a context for your trip beyond the village itself. Near Otavice, an once-important mill and small rapids have also been preserved along the stream.

More cultural history in Općina Ružić

Kljaci and Gradac are also cultural points of interest in the wider destination of Općina Ružić. The present-day Župna crkva sv. Ilije in Kljaci was built in 1871; remains of an early Croatian church dating from the 9th to 10th century were found nearby. Remains of the early Christian church of sv. Petra are preserved in the crypt of the parish church in Gradac. These different periods and places offer a view of several layers of sacred history in Općina Ružić.

Meštrović connections in nearby Drniš

The Meštrović connection continues in nearby Drniš: the town museum displays sculptures and paintings by the artist. Public artworks include the sculpture Gospa Petropoljka, other reliefs and the Vrelo života fountain. Individual exhibitions may change. For your trip planning, Drniš offers a complementary cultural focus alongside Otavice.

Discover more destinations: Ružić, Mirlović Polje, Čavoglave.

Go to the wider travel overview: Općina Ružić.