Vepric

Vepric is a Marian shrine on the western edge of Makarska, Croatia, often called the Croatian Lourdes. It blends pilgrimage tradition with a quiet walk through greenery, and for more than a century it has drawn both the faithful and curious visitors.

How did the Vepric shrine begin?

Bishop Juraj Carić (1867-1921) founded the shrine in 1908. According to accounts, when he first saw the grotto at Lourdes he felt a strange familiarity, because it reminded him of Vepric, where he often went to pray the rosary. The year was significant: it marked 50 years since the apparitions at Lourdes. That same year, on the feast of the Assumption, the first large Croatian pilgrimage to Lourdes in France took place, organised by the Capuchin friar Bernardin Škrivanić.

Bishop Carić is buried on the shrine grounds. The chapel was consecrated on 11 February 1909, the date associated in the liturgical calendar with Our Lady of Lourdes.

What will you see there?

At the heart of the shrine is a small grotto with an altar, modelled on the one where Mary appeared to the young Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. A chapel stands nearby. Among the Mediterranean vegetation you will also find confessionals, an open-air altar and the Stations of the Cross. Everything is set into a wooded hillside whose look recalls the original at Lourdes.

How do you reach Vepric from central Makarska?

The nicest way is on foot. The route leads from the northern part of town along the seafront promenade and then through pine forest. It is an easy walk that combines well with sightseeing in town. Tour operators from Mostar and Medjugorje include Vepric as a stop on day trips to the coast.

When is the best time to visit?

The shrine is open all year. It is busiest on Marian feast days, especially the Assumption (15 August) and the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (8 September). One guide suggests that if you want quiet, you should avoid 11 February, 25 March, 15 August and 7-8 September. On other days the place is calm and invites a pause.

Frequently asked questions

Is Vepric only for pilgrims?

No. It is a working shrine, but tourists visit too, looking for shade, silence and a walk away from Makarska's beach bustle. Please be discreet and respectful toward people at prayer.

Who founded the shrine?

Bishop Juraj Carić, in 1908. He rests on the shrine grounds.

Is there an entrance fee?

The sources we gathered do not mention any admission charge, so check current details on site or at the local tourist office before you go.

How long does a visit take?

The shrine grounds are not large. Most of the time goes on the walk from town along the promenade and through the forest, followed by an unhurried look at the grotto, chapel and Stations of the Cross.

Can I combine it with other sights?

Yes. Vepric sits on the western edge of town, so it pairs easily with a stroll along the seaside promenade and a visit to Makarska's old harbour.

Who is it for?

For believers, for lovers of quiet walks, and for anyone who wants to see that Makarska is more than its beaches. It is a short, easy outing with a history reaching back to the early twentieth century, set in greenery, showing how local religious tradition has become part of the coastal landscape.