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25. July 2025.
The storm of centuries under the roof of the Bačka monastery
Crusaders, Franciscans, Mongols, and Turks left their marks under the roof of the Franciscan Monastery in Bač.In 1169, in the very center of Bač, on the foundations of the old cathedral, the Crusader Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem built its monastery and church, the style of which was at the very top of Romanesque architecture: a five-sided apse, a combination of stone and brick, columns with animal heads, a water spout on the roof, the interior, in the style of an early Christian basilica, had bare walls without mortar, while underground "claws" provided additional security to the building.
In 1241, the Mongol-Tatars devastated the monastery. After that, by the end of the 13th century, a major renovation of the church and monastery was carried out and the entire building was additionally fortified. The church received a Gothic ceiling with arches made of hewn stone, and the remains of the Gothic arch can still be found in the corridor next to the church, which was painted with frescoes. A bell tower was built in the Romanesque-Gothic style and the monastery was converted into a fortress.
After the fall of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, the Crusader journeys ceased, and the Bačka monastery lost its significance as a stop on the way to the Holy Land. By decision of the Hungarian King Andrew III Árpád, the monastery became Franciscan in 1300. years.
Near Mohács, the Turks defeated the Hungarian army in 1526, and the large monastery was then converted into the Suleiman Khan Mosque. When Suleiman Khan captured Bač, several thousand Christians were imprisoned in this mosque, which was then a church, with their treasures and their families. A great battle was fought for seven days. Finally, on the eighth day, this church was conquered. In 1688, when a larger group of believers with the Franciscans from Gradovrho came to Bač, the main mosque of Bač was again converted into a church, the renovation of which began in 1711.
The construction of the south and east wings began in 1734. The monastery acquired its current appearance, which also incorporates medieval buildings - the church and the bell tower - during that time, from 1734 to 1768.
Since the Franciscans have not left the monastery for 300 years, many old objects, dishes, textiles, church vestments, a library with books dating back to the 15th century, and many other small items have been preserved, which testify to continuity since the Middle Ages, but we can also say since Roman times (the lapidary in the hallway next to the church).
The Institute has been taking care of this cultural asset since 2006, when the Project of the current state of the complex and the Study of the valorization of paintings and sculptures were prepared, with equal attention paid to research, conservation and use of the heritage.
Photography: Petar Topić, Marija Erdelji
