The Church and Monastery of St Francis stands at the western end of the Riva, Split's seafront promenade, a short walk from Diocletian's Palace. It is easy to pass by on the way to the harbour, but inside lie some of the most important people in Split's history, including Marko Marulić, the father of Croatian literature.
St Francis Church at a glance
- Where: at the western end of the Riva, where the promenade meets the Matejuška fishing harbour and the Veli Varoš district.
- Built: on the site of a 5th-century early Christian church; the Franciscans have been here since the 13th century, and the complex has been rebuilt and restored many times since.
- What it is today: a working Franciscan church and monastery, with a cloister and a historic library.
- Time needed: 15–30 minutes for the church and, when open, the cloister.
From a martyr's grave to a Franciscan friary
The story of the site begins long before the friars. In the early Christian period a small church stood here over the grave of St Felix, a martyr from nearby Salona who died in the persecutions under the Emperor Diocletian. When the Franciscans arrived in the early 13th century, the spot lay at the edge of the medieval town, outside its walls, and they built their monastery around that older church.
Over the following centuries the complex grew, with a small cloister with Romanesque features and a library. Repeated rebuilding and restoration changed its appearance considerably, so what you see from the Riva today is much later than the community it houses. The church became a burial place for leading citizens of Split: the poet and humanist Marko Marulić, the Baroque composer Ivan Lukačić, the poet Jerolim Kavanjin and the politician Ante Trumbić, one of the founders of the first Yugoslav state.
What to look for
- The tomb of Marko Marulić, whose epic poem Judita (1501) is counted as the first major work of literature in the Croatian language.
- The sarcophagus of Ante Trumbić, made by Ivan Meštrović, Croatia's best-known sculptor.
- The painted Gothic crucifix from the early 15th century by Blaž Jurjev of Trogir, considered the church's most valuable work of art.
- A Roman-era sarcophagus carved with the crossing of the Red Sea.
- The small cloister beside the church, a quiet space only steps away from the busy promenade.
Three voices of Split
Three of the people buried here shaped the culture of the city. Marulić, who lived from 1450 to 1524, wrote in Latin and in Croatian and was read across Europe. Ivan Lukačić was a Franciscan who directed music at Split Cathedral in the early 17th century and published one of the earliest collections of sacred music in the region. Jerolim Kavanjin was a Baroque poet from Split. Standing by their tombs is a quick way to understand that Split was not only a Roman palace but also a lively Renaissance and Baroque town.
Tips for your visit
- This is an active church: dress modestly, keep your voice down and avoid visiting during Mass.
- Come in the late afternoon, when the light on the Riva is softer, and finish with a walk along the waterfront.
- Look for the friars' library and cloister, which are not always open; ask at the monastery if you are interested.
Nearby
- The Riva: Split's palm-lined seafront promenade, running along the south front of Diocletian's Palace.
- Matejuška: the small fishermen's harbour just south of the church, where local boats still unload their catch.
- Prokurative (Republic Square): a large square with neo-Renaissance arcades on three sides, open towards the sea.
- Marjan: the wooded hill park west of the old town, with paths and viewpoints over the city and islands.
See Split with World City Trail
Our Split scavenger hunt turns the old town into a game you play on your phone. The route links 10 stops and takes around two hours, with about 20 minutes of walking. It includes places such as the Croatian National Theatre, the statue of Gregory of Nin and the Golden Gate of Diocletian's Palace.
If you prefer a different format, Split also has a self-guided walking tour and an outdoor escape game.
Play the Split scavenger hunt →
Take the self-guided walking tour of Split →
Play the outdoor escape game in Split →
Facts checked in October 2026.