National shrine of St. Josip

The National Shrine of St. Joseph in Karlovac is a church in the Dubovac district, designated by the Croatian bishops as the country's main place of devotion to its patron saint. It stands at the foot of a hill crowned by a medieval fortress and belongs to the Archdiocese of Zagreb.

Where is the shrine?

The church sits in Dubovac, a part of Karlovac in central Croatia. The district takes its name from the hill above it, where the 13th-century fortress known as the Old Town of Dubovac rises. That makes it easy to pair a visit to a modern church with a walk up to historic walls.

How was the church built?

The foundation stone was blessed on 14 July 1968 by Franjo Kuharić, then an auxiliary bishop and later a cardinal. Archbishop Franjo Šeper blessed the finished church on 15 September 1974. It was the first church built in Karlovac after the Second World War, and it was funded with the help of parishioners and donors.

Work continued after the blessing. According to one source the facades were finished in 1972, the bell tower went up in 1975, and three new bells were installed only in 1980.

Why a national shrine?

The Croatian bishops proclaimed the church a national shrine by decree on 15 April 1987. The timing was deliberate: 1987 marked 300 years since St. Joseph was chosen as patron of Croatia in 1687. Accounts differ slightly on the ceremonies, with one describing the shrine opening for pilgrims in 1987 and the celebrations closing on St. Joseph's feast day in 1988. The church also holds the title of minor basilica.

A parish with deep roots

The building is modern, but the parish is far older. The earliest written mention of the Dubovac parish appears in Zagreb diocesan records from 1334.

When to visit

The main feast falls on 19 March, St. Joseph's day, and is preceded by nine Wednesdays of preparation, a series of devotions held on consecutive Wednesdays. This is when the shrine draws the most pilgrims.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the National Shrine of St. Joseph? In the Dubovac district of Karlovac, at the foot of the hill with the old fortress.

When was the church built? The foundation stone was blessed in 1968 and the church itself in 1974.

When did it become a national shrine? By a decree of the Croatian bishops on 15 April 1987.

When is the main feast? On 19 March, St. Joseph's day.

Can I combine it with other sights nearby? Yes, the medieval Dubovac fortress stands just above, so the visit pairs easily with a walk up the hill.