Sv. Ivana Evanđelista (Rab)

The Church of St John the Evangelist in Rab (Croatian: Sv. Ivan Evanđelist) is an atmospheric ruin of a Romanesque basilica on the Croatian island of Rab. Only a few standing columns, fragments of walls and a restored 12th-century bell tower remain of the former complex. Entry is free, and the spot is known for its sea views.

What does the site look like today?

Today it is a quiet, somewhat forgotten corner of the old town. A handful of columns from the former nave stand amid rubble, while the bell tower, the best-preserved element, rises above everything. The monastery that once adjoined the church is mostly ruined. The site sits high on a cliff above the sea, so the surroundings open onto a broad view of the coast and the bay.

What is the history of the church?

The oldest parts of the site go back to the 5th century, when an early Christian three-nave basilica stood here. The present early Romanesque building was raised in the 10th and 11th centuries, when the Benedictines arrived on Rab. The bell tower dates from the 12th century and, after restoration, is the best-preserved part of the complex.

In 1278 the bishop of Rab and the chronicler Gregory Hermolais handed the church over to the Franciscans. The diocese of Rab was abandoned in the 1820s, and the unused church gradually fell into disrepair, ending up in the state visitors see now.

Why visit?

• It is one of the most evocative monuments in Rab, and far calmer than the main streets of the town.
• The bell tower is one of the four famous towers of the old town, which together form the town's recognisable skyline from the sea.
• The ruins make a fine photo backdrop, especially in the morning or before sunset.
• It costs nothing to enter, so it is an easy stop on a walk through town.

Planning your visit

The church lies within the town of Rab, on the upper part of the peninsula that holds the old town. It pairs well with a stroll past other sacred sites, such as the Church of St Anthony the Abbot, and with climbs up the other bell towers. Wear comfortable shoes, because the ground is uneven and stones and rubble lie among the ruins. There is no interior furnishing or exhibition, so a visit can be short, but it is easy to linger for the view.

Frequently asked questions

Is the church still in use? No, it is a ruin. Columns and the restored bell tower survive, but no regular services are held.

Is there an entrance fee? No, viewing the ruins is free.

When was the bell tower built? In the 12th century. It is the best-preserved part of the whole complex.

Who looked after the church in the Middle Ages? First the Benedictines, and from 1278 the Franciscans, to whom the bishop of Rab and the chronicler Gregory Hermolais handed it over.

Why is the church in ruins? After the diocese of Rab was abandoned in the 1820s, the building was no longer maintained and slowly decayed.

Is it a good place for photos? Yes. Columns set against the sea and the slender bell tower are among the most photographed views in this part of town.