Trnbusi – St. Luke’s Churches and Village History on Mosor

Trnbusi lies on the northern slopes of Mosor. Visitors who prioritize sacred architectural history and regional village traditions when choosing a destination will find several specific points of interest here—from two St. Luke’s churches from different periods to the soparnik tradition in the wider Omiš area.

Location on Mosor

Trnbusi lies between Srijane-Dolac Gornji to the west and Blato to the east. Together with its location on Mosor’s northern slopes, this provides a geographical frame of reference for the village. The churches and the history of the village offer a historical perspective that spans from medieval affiliations to church buildings of the 20th century.

Two St. Luke’s Churches from Different Periods

The new parish church of St. Luke the Evangelist stands beside the road in the center of Trnbusi. It was built between 1907 and 1912 and is made of finely dressed stone. Its location serves as a clear landmark in the village. Its construction period also provides a point of comparison with the older St. Luke’s Church, which stands in the western part of the parish.

The old parish church of St. Luke is considered to date from the 16th century and was built on an older sacred site. After the new parish church was built, it became a cemetery church. Its architectural features include a bell tower with one bell. The two churches can therefore be distinguished by both their location and their different histories: the new church stands in the center of the village, while the older church is in the west of the parish.

History and Rural Heritage

In the Middle Ages, Trnbusi belonged to the Poljica Katun of Gornji Dolac, also known as Gornje Polje. This historical connection complements the churches’ architectural history with an older regional context. The designation of the protected rural ensemble also draws attention to the village’s rural character: Trnbusi (Rodići) is listed as a protected rural ensemble under reference number Z-6694.

Stećci beside St. Luke’s Church are among the other historical traces. They are interpreted as possible depictions of battle scenes and are probably dated to the late 14th or early 15th century. The cautious wording matters: the battle scenes are considered a possible interpretation, and the dating is also given as probable.

Soparnik and Regional Tradition

The wider Omiš area is associated with traditional Poljički soparnik; the dish is included on Croatia’s official list of intangible cultural heritage. In Trbusi, OPG Ante Šarić, at the address Trbusi 34, is listed as a certified soparnik producer. This brings a regional culinary tradition together with a specific connection to Trnbusi. Soparnik thus complements the churches and village history with a cultural aspect that reaches beyond the village into the wider region.

A Jeep Safari Stop

A Jeep safari program includes a trip to Trnbusi. The itinerary includes a barbecue in the old village below Mosor. The off-road excursion introduces visitors to old Dalmatian village architecture and traditional ways of life, connecting the visit to the village with an insight into these subjects. Since itineraries may change, check in advance whether this stop is included in your planned tour.

Discover more destinations: Pisak, Blato Na Cetini, Kostanje, Svinišće, Stanici, Podaspilje, Čisla, Medici

For the broader travel overview: Općina Omiš.