Saint Blaise church

The Church of St Blaise in Vodnjan is the largest parish church in Istria and the dominant landmark of this small town in south-western Croatia. You can spot it from far away, and its tall bell tower serves as a reference point for the whole area.

Where is St Blaise Church?

The Roman Catholic church stands in the centre of Vodnjan (Italian: Dignano), a few kilometres from Pula on the Istrian peninsula. It is dedicated to St Blaise, a bishop and martyr honoured as the protector of the throat. For centuries the town belonged to the Republic of Venice, and that influence shows in the architecture across the region.

How did the present church come about?

An older Romanesque three-nave basilica once stood on the site. It was pulled down, and in the second half of the 18th century work began on a new, far larger church. Construction dragged on, and the consecration took place around the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, when the interior was still not fully finished. The scale of the project reflects the wealth and ambition of the townspeople.

The ground plan measures roughly 56 by 32 metres, and a dome about 25 metres high rises over the nave. It is a scale you would hardly expect in such a small town.

The bell tower and the facade

The bell tower is the tallest in Istria, at more than 60 metres. It was designed in 1815 by Antonio Porta of Trieste and was only completed in 1882. Its silhouette recalls the campanile of St Mark in Venice, which suits the region's Venetian past.

The neo-Baroque facade carries five life-size statues: a larger figure of St Blaise and four other saints. They were carved by the brothers Andrea and Giovanni Trevisan, sons of the local painter Venerio.

What can you see inside?

The interior is Baroque. It holds nine altars from the 19th and 20th centuries and a number of paintings, among them a Last Supper by Giovanni Contarini dated 1598. The work is older than the church itself, so it came from earlier churches or collections.

Vodnjan is also known for its relics. In the sacral complex beside the church, a museum displays part of this collection: hundreds of relics and remains of saints. For many visitors this is a reason to combine a church visit with learning about the town's history.

Frequently asked questions

Is St Blaise the largest church in Istria?

Yes, it is the largest parish church in Istria, and its bell tower is the tallest in the region.

What does the bell tower resemble?

Its look echoes the St Mark's campanile in Venice, a result of the region's long ties to the Venetian Republic.

Are there relics in the church?

Yes. A sacral museum next to the church shows part of the relic collection.

Is it worth going inside?

Yes, particularly for the Baroque altars, the paintings and the sheer size of the interior. It is a working parish church, so avoid sightseeing during services.

How do I get to Vodnjan?

The town lies close to Pula and is easy to reach by car. The church is right in the centre, so you can walk to it once you have parked.