Savar: Churches, Cave and the History of Stone

If you are looking for a hotel in Savar, its churches, Strašna Peć cave and the history of stone quarrying offer concrete points of reference when choosing your destination. You can also explore cultural and landscape themes in the wider destination of Općina Sali.

Churches and history in Savar

The Church of St. Peregrine stands on an island in a quiet bay and is connected to the settlement by a causeway. It is pre-Romanesque, dates from the 7th to 9th century and is considered a cultural monument of worldwide significance. Those interested in early religious architecture will find a concrete historical point of reference here.

The parish church of Savar dates from 1670. A Baroque baptismal font with a Glagolitic inscription was transferred there. Savar thus has two distinct points of reference in its church history: the early dating of the Church of St. Peregrine and the later parish church with its inscribed baptismal font.

Strašna Peć and the history of stone

Strašna Peć cave is a visitor attraction associated with Savar and is considered the site of the region’s first organised tourist destination. Emperor Franz Joseph visited the cave in 1904. This visit gives the cave a concrete historical connection.

Stone quarrying is also part of Savar’s history. The stone was used in the construction of the Roman Forum in Zadar and the United Nations building in New York; it was also used for palaces and churches in Rome and Venice. These examples range from buildings in the region to significant structures in more distant cities.

Landscape and culture in the wider destination of Općina Sali

Telašćica Bay was declared a nature park in 1988. The park’s landscapes include quiet beaches and steep cliffs. Sali is the settlement closest to the nature park and the easiest access point to reach from the mainland. A special botanical reserve was established in Saljsko polje in 1969; it is home to olive trees up to 700 years old. The nature park and Saljsko polje offer different landscape experiences in the wider destination of Općina Sali.

A specific cycling route is also marked there: cycle route No. 13 runs from Sali via Vela Ploča and Čuh Polje to Dugonjive and Mala Proversa and is 7.9 kilometres long. Check the condition of the route locally before setting out. The stated route and distance give you a clear framework for planning this ride.

Sali’s historical attractions include two churches with different historical reference points. The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary has a monumental wooden high altar dating from the 17th century. The Church of St. John in Sali, in Stivanje polje, is first mentioned in written records in 1064 or 1065. Together, they represent an altar from the 17th century and a written reference from the 11th century.

Saljske užance is a three-day local festival in Sali and has been held for more than 50 years. Tovareća mužika uses various drums and old iron irons filled with pebbles as rhythm instruments. The Budnica is performed on Sunday morning during Saljske užance. During several performances, Tovareća mužika moves through the entire village during the festival, stopping at several locations to perform its programme. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates for the relevant edition.

Discover more destinations: Veli Rat, Dragove, Luka, Brgulje, Bozava, Zaglav, Soline, Zman.

For the wider travel overview: Općina Sali.