FRANCISCAN MONASTERY – Bač

FRANCISCAN MONASTERY – Bač

The Franciscan Monastery is located in the centre of Bač. The complex consists of a square-shaped monastery building with an inner courtyard and the Church of the Assumption of Mary. Owing to its historical significance, architecture and rich cultural heritage, it is an important testament to the past of this region.

History and Architecture of the Monastery

The foundations of the monastery were laid in 1169, on the site of an older cathedral, by members of the military-monastic Crusader Order of the Knights Templar, also known as the Canons of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The building is distinguished by its Romanesque architectural features, including a pentagonal apse, a combination of stone and brick, columns decorated with animal heads, and roof gargoyles. Another distinctive feature is the system of underground supports that provides additional structural stability.

In 1241, the Mongols and Tatars devastated the monastery, after which extensive restoration and further fortification of the complex took place towards the end of the 13th century. The church acquired Gothic features, while a bell tower and defensive structures were added, transforming the monastery into a fortified complex. By decree of the Hungarian King Andrew III of the Árpád dynasty, the monastery passed into the hands of the Franciscans in 1300.

Following the Battle of Mohács in 1526 and the arrival of the Ottomans, the monastery was partially destroyed and converted into a mosque. Remains of a mihrab and a Turkish water vessel at the entrance bear witness to this period. In 1688, Franciscans from Gradovrh arrived in Bač, and the former mosque was once again converted into a church. During Rákóczi’s War of Independence, between 1704 and 1711, the monastery suffered further severe damage, and restoration began in 1711.

Construction of the southern and eastern wings of the present-day monastery began in 1734 and was completed in 1758. Friar Augustin Stopić made a significant contribution to the restoration, overseeing the construction of the western wing, the corridor alongside the church, the choir loft and the side chapels. This resulted in a harmonious architectural complex combining medieval structures with later additions.

The Treasury and Cultural Heritage

The monastery houses an archive and a library containing books dating from the 15th to the 20th century, as well as numerous historic objects, including household utensils, textiles and ecclesiastical vestments. These collections bear witness to the long continuity of life within the complex.

Among the most notable architectural and artistic features are the spacious Romanesque apse, the remains of Gothic frescoes dating from the 15th century, and the massive bell tower, whose foundations date back to the 12th century. The monastery treasury also preserves valuable works of art, including an Italo-Cretan icon by the painter Dima, dated 1678, and a composition entitled The Last Supper, dating from 1737.

The organ, built in 1827 in the Franciscan organ workshop in Baja, is also of particular significance. With two manuals, 16 stops and approximately 1,000 pipes, it remains operational to this day, although it is in need of restoration.

The Ethnographic Collection of the Franciscan Monastery

The ethnographic collection of the Franciscan Monastery in Bač was established thanks to Friar Josip Špehar, who spent almost fifty years collecting objects that document the life, customs and traditions of the Šokci people. The collection includes traditional folk costumes, woven fabrics, cloth, bedcovers, furniture, tableware and porcelain. It has been further enriched with objects from Didina Kuća Ethno House, including family heirlooms, traditional clothing and antique furniture.

A special feature of the collection is the prednja šokačka soba (the front Šokci room), which was once the most important room in a traditional Šokci household. It was used to keep the family’s most valuable possessions, such as ceremonial folk costumes, jewellery and the bride’s dowry. Important family events also took place there, from marriage proposals and wedding preparations to farewells to deceased family members.

Another significant part of the exhibition is the traditional women’s Šokci costume, featuring the šamija, a distinctive form of women’s head covering that has been preserved in Bač and the surrounding area. The šamija is characterised by its specific method of tying and decorative patterns, and its distinctive features reflect the longevity and recognisable character of the local tradition.

The ethnographic collection is of considerable cultural and ethnological value, as it preserves material evidence of the past and contributes to safeguarding the identity and traditions of the Šokci community. Together with the monastery’s historical, architectural and artistic heritage, it provides an important insight into the rich history of Bač.

Visiting the monastery: Visits can be arranged by prior agreement with Friar Josip Špehar.

Tourism Organisation of the Municipality of Bač, 4 Dr Zorana Đinđića Square, Bač
+381 (0)21 770 733 +381 (0)21 60 72 222 +381 (0)64 85 11 926
[email protected]
www.turizambac.rs/

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