The Interpretation Centre of the Cathedral of St James

Organized by the Šibenik Diocese and the Croatian Photography Center, on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in the multimedia hall of the Interpretation Center “Civitas Sacra”, the presentation of the monograph “The Basilica of St. James in Šibenik” was held. The author of this monumental work is academician Andrija Mutnjaković, one of the most prominent Croatian architects.

In addition to the author, the cathedral parish priest Don Krešimir Mateša, Bishop of Šibenik Mons. Tomislav Rogić, and the author of the photographs in the monograph, photographer Luka Mjeda, spoke about the book and its significance. The presentation was attended by numerous guests and lovers of cultural heritage, as well as the mayor of Šibenik Željko Burić.

Bishop Tomislav Rogić recalled that the Šibenik Diocese marked the 725th anniversary of its foundation in 2023, which was an incentive for the publication of three valuable publications that will leave a lasting mark. In addition to the already presented book ”Apostolic Visitation of the Šibenik Diocese by Augustine Valier in 1579”, and the monograph by Academician Mutnjaković, the bishop also announced the imminent publication of Branko Pavazza’s book on the Altar of the Blessed Sacrament and the Two Protomajists. ”Thus, with these three valuable publications, we will round off the celebration of the anniversary of the establishment of the diocese”, the bishop emphasized.

It has already been 13 years since the monograph by Mr. Predrag Marković ”The Cathedral of St. James in Šibenik – the First 105 Years”. So, I believe, the new publications will once again stimulate studies, conversations and research on the Cathedral of St. James. The new monograph “The Basilica of St. James in Šibenik” by academician Andrija Mutnjaković truly represents a comprehensive and mature synthesis of the author’s long-standing interests in the architecture and symbolism of this beauty of ours. It is a representative publication that treats the Šibenik Cathedral not only as a historical monument, but also as a special architectural work of European significance, said Bishop Rogić.

The bishop expressed special gratitude to the author of the photographs, Luka Mjeda. He pointed out that the photographs in the book are not just illustrations, but a means of interpreting architecture, its proportions and rhythm. ”This is actually the first publication that contains images of the cleaned cathedral, in which all its beauty is now even more clearly depicted”, said the bishop, recalling the long-term restoration work during which, from the Homeland War to the present day, the scaffolding has hardly left the cathedral.

He also emphasized the importance of the bilingual edition (Croatian and English), which contributes to the promotion of the Šibenik Cathedral as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ”The book has already set out into the world”, Bishop Rogić revealed at the end of his speech, saying that copies of the monograph were presented to the archbishops of Lisbon, Fatima and Santiago de Compostela during a recent pilgrimage. In a symbolic gesture of ”Saint James to Saint James”, the book was presented at the tomb of the apostle in Santiago, for which a letter of thanks from the archbishop there has already arrived.

In his address, Academician Mutnjaković outlined the historical context and exceptional importance of the Šibenik Cathedral, emphasizing that the work on the preparation of this monograph lasted almost 50 years. He particularly emphasized the fact that the cathedral was built over a full 150 years (1402–1555) and that it was created almost exclusively through the efforts and contributions of the 8,000 citizens of Šibenik at the time.

”They built this temple during times when they were exposed to Ottoman threats and occasional plague epidemics”, the author recalled, adding that it was precisely these historical details, as well as Faust Vrančić’s note calling the cathedral ”an ornament of their Homeland”, that were the main impetus for the creation of the work.
The monograph was published as part of the ”Illyrian Edition” as a bilingual edition (in Croatian and English). Through text and superb photographs, it documents the status of the cathedral, which the Holy Father declared a minor basilica and UNESCO included in the list of world cultural heritage.

The sponsors of this edition, which represents one of the most significant testimonies of the cultural identity of Šibenik and Croatia, are the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, the Ministry of Culture and Media, the Diocese of Šibenik and the City of Šibenik.