St. Foška's Church is a three-nave basilica. Preserved Benedictine paintings are probably the most fascinating example of the Romanesque mural painting in Croatia. The Church of St. Foška is a three-nave basilica with three inscribed apses. Although it had been long considered an early medieval edifice, recent research has dated it back to the late 11th or the early 12 century.

The mural paintings in St. Foška's Church from the first half of the 12th century were made by a superb author, most likely a master from northern Italy. The preserved Benedictine paintings are most probably the most magnificent example of Romanesque mural painting in Croatia. However, the mural in St. Foška is not really a fresco as it was painted on dry plaster by tempera or semi-tempera.

This medieval mural painting technique used colours, which along with limestone, contained te organic binder, most probably an egg. Fragments of the Mother of God with Christ in her lap surrounded by angels exist in the main apse, while a representative and monumental image of the Assumption is seen above the triumphal arch. The symmetrical composition was set right in the centre above the main apse and the altar with a frontal figure of Christ Enthroned set in gemstones and surrounded by the mandorla carried by four angels. Below them are apostles astonishingly observing the Ascension.

How to get there:
Batvači and the Church of St. Foška are located along the local Peroj – Golubovo road. The Church is in the field, remote, four km north-west from Peroj and four km south-east from Barbariga tourist resort.

Note:
The key is in the Vodnjan Parish Office

T: +385 (0)52 511 420