Interesting details:
Ihtios
In explorations conducted in the locality Sv. Ivan (St. John), in the southern
wall which has been preserved as part of the authentic basilica with the
new church resting on it, an interesting primitive painting of a fish has
been found – the oldest Christian symbol in red chalk, which is framed with
mortar and may be viewed in the present day church.
Cultural heritage
The historical centre of Sutivan Sutivan is a valuable monumental entity and as such is protected by the laws of the Republic of Croatia as a cultural monument. A stroll through the centre of the locality leads us along an historical path mixed with the present day and is an exceptional experience.
Aside from the town centre, there are structures and locations outside the locality which you can reach with the aid of maps on which walking and bicycle tracks are marked or by means of the directions which you can obtain in the tourist office.
THE CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
In the east part of Sutivan, around the today’s small church of St, John, the
base of the big basilica with trefoil sanctuary and entrance hall, nartex
has been excavated. There was situated on the the ten early christian Brac’s
basilicas from 6th century. That is one of only three churches of this type
excavated in Dalmatia. Several fragments of the altar mess and pillars were
found, and are being kept in this small church. It was said, but never proven,
that in the Middle Ages there was developed a benedict manastery, like others
on Brac. The people have always called the surrounding ruins, a monastery.
It is certain that the Sutivan’s St. John with the estate was used by Split’s
church of St. John the Baptist. Splits prior Petar donated in 1097 to the
church of St. John the Baptist (de Fonte) his estates which spread all around
the Sutivan’s church, as far as the bird’s chirping could be heard.
Inside the base of the old basilica, today is situated the small church
of St. John with nobleman’s inscription in latin, that says that Split’s
canon and chancellor Jerolim Natalis built this church in 1655.
THE ILIC HOUSE COMPLEX
The first fortified palace in Sutivan was built by Jakov Nadali – Bozicevic in
1505, renaissance style. The palace lost much of it’s original beauty due
to the later changes and the building-on at the front. The latin renaissance
inscription at the front of the building was an eulogy to the Venetian Republic,
because Jakov Nadali fought under the banner of St. Marco and built this
house with money gained in these wars. Nadali’s, or Natalis, and later Ilic’s
palace has spacious park, which is preserved to date, and was renovated.
It’s south side was turned into a public park .
THE MARIJANOVIC HOUSE
The tower shaped citadel, built on the very beach at the port by an immigrant
from Poljice, Janko Marijanovic-Drazoevic, also known as count Janko,
in 17th century. This Janko’s castle is rather small, pictoresque building
with
slant ground area that leaves the impression of a fortress, with a
balcony facing the sea and a sun clock on the south side.