Abbey Treasury

Adjacent to St. Mark’s Cathedral stands the former Bishop’s Court, now home to the Abbey Treasury, a distinguished museum of religious art. The treasury was established in 1954 through the efforts of Abbot Ivo Matijaca and Croatian painter Ljubo Babić. While the original Bishop’s Court, dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries, underwent significant reconstruction between 1860 and 1874, it retains its historical significance.

The Abbey Treasury houses a remarkable collection of invaluable works by Venetian and Croatian artists. Among these, the most prominent is the polyptych Our Lady with Child and Saints (1431), created by Blaž Jurjev Trogiranin (?-1450), a master of Dalmatian Gothic art. Trogiranin, one of the most influential figures in this artistic tradition, resided in Korčula from 1431 to 1435, producing works for local churches and imparting his skills in drawing and painting.

In addition to its art collection, the treasury features numerous historic documents and books that offer a glimpse into Korčula’s and Croatia’s distant past. Of particular note is the Korčula Codex from 1214. Visitors are also invited to admire a stunning Gothic two-part window (bifora), uniquely oriented toward the interior of the hall to highlight its exquisite style and craftsmanship.

The treasury’s numismatic collection includes coins minted for Korkyra Melaina in the 4th century B.C., which are of exceptional historical interest, further enriching this remarkable repository of cultural and artistic heritage.