Franjevačka crkva

Franciscan Church - the most important information

Subotica Square of the same name has been adorned with this church and monastery since the 18th century. This location was a significant point in the history of Subotica, and even today it is loved and well visited. Among the inhabitants of Subotica, it is also known as the Old Church. It belongs to the Croatian Franciscan Province of St. Cyril and Methodius in Zagreb, which celebrated 100 years of its existence in 2000. The City Museum and the Railway Station are in the immediate vicinity, so a walk to this church dedicated to St. Michael is the easiest way to reach it. We recommend that you complete your stay in Subotica by visiting the Franciscan Church and enjoy its impeccable appearance.

History of the Franciscan Church
The place where the church is today once was a fortress from 1439. This fortress played an important role in strategic moves against the Turks. On the ground floor of the Subotica tower in 1695, the Franciscans founded a chapel, the expansion of which established this church in 1730. Fourteen years before that, a monastery was founded inside it. The entrance to the church was built during the Turkish occupation and is still in the same place, at the foot of the south tower. It was built in such a way that it contains a ground floor and a first floor in its rectangular base. It respects the Franciscan architectural tradition by the absence of decorations on the facades. The only exception is the cordon wreath which divides the walls into two parts. Restoration of the paintings in the interior was performed in 1995, while the roof was repaired during the renovation works in 1999. Today's appearance of the church is the same since 1907.

Significance of the Franciscan Church

The Franciscan Church is considered a cultural monument of great importance and for centuries has been an important religious core of Subotica, where religious activities take place in Croatian and Hungarian language.
The first primary school in Subotica was founded in this monastery in 1731, after which the grammar school in 1747 and later the higher school of rhetoric and philosophy were established.

What to see?
The monastery library is especially rich and holds over 15,000 books. Among them is an incunabula from the 15th century, which describes the migrations and struggles of the Bunjevci Croats to preserve their faith and tradition. The monastery also preserves works of art from the 18th century, which, among others, consist of 13 altar paintings and 33 paintings of Franciscan saints from the 18th century, together with crucifixes and wooden statues. Saint Anthony of Padua has a place of honor in the monastery, and believers gather in front of his bust to pay homage to him and say a prayer.

How to get to the Franciscan Church?
The location of the church and the monastery lets you reach it using public transport in Subotica, your own vehicle or take a walk. Affordable city taxi services are also at your disposal, and whatever you decide on, you will enjoy the beauties of the city. The nearest bus stops, from where it is necessary to take a short walk, are: Synagogue; Lifka; Hotel Patria; Orthodox Church; Posta I

Bus lines: 3, 6, 22, 23, 25
On foot: The Sombor road leads you to the church, which you follow to Matka Vukovica Street, where, from the roundabout, you cross to Trg Cara Jovana Nenada, from where the church is not far
Taxi stations: Zuti taxi 024/9789, Hallo Taxi 024/9766, Grand Taxi 024/562 476, 024 Taxi 024/548 988