The fortress church of St. Mary of Mercy 16th century

The Church and Fortress of Our Lady of Mercy sits to the south in a clearing above the charming and naturally protected Vrboska Bay and dominates the surrounding area. The church was built at the beginning of the second half of the 15th century as a single-nave Gothic church with a rectangular apse. Since it was not fortified, it was damaged in an attack by the Turks in 1571. It received its present form when it was rebuilt several years later, and there are written records that all of the residents were able to find refuge and launch attacks from it in 1579. Although as a church-fortress it is almost half a century younger than the one in Jelsa, it has not experienced radical changes in architecture and it remains one of the better preserved churches in Dalmatia. Because of its state of preservation, this Renaissance construction today is among the most beautiful in Europe. The church has also safeguarded some impressive Renaissance art, which is now in temporary storage in the parish church of St. Lovro (Lawrence). Open: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.