Located within the historic core of Jajce, the Church of St. Mary holds a significant place in the rich tapestry of Bosnian history. This ancient church has witnessed royal coronations, housed sacred relics, and transformed through various cultural influences over the centuries.
On April 1, 1459, Jelena Branković, the daughter of Serbian despot Lazar, brought the relics of St. Luke the Evangelist as part of her dowry when she married the Bosnian heir, Stjepan Tomašević. This momentous occasion forever linked the church with the region’s royal lineage.
In November 1461, the Church of St. Mary became the coronation site of the last Bosnian king, Stjepan Tomašević, officiated by papal envoys. The church also served as the final resting place for members of several prominent families from medieval Jajce.
During the Ottoman rule in 1528, the church was converted into a mosque and named after Sultan Suleiman II. The mosque suffered multiple fires, with a devastating blaze in 1832 leaving only the walls standing.
Adjacent to the church is the St. Luke’s Bell Tower, constructed in a late Gothic style with Renaissance elements. This 23.15-meter-high tower, built by local craftsmen, stands as the only preserved medieval bell tower in the continental Balkans.
The Church of St. Mary and St. Luke’s Bell Tower were officially recognized for their cultural importance by the Austro-Hungarian administration. On June 27, 1892, they were declared cultural monuments, preserving their legacy for future generations.
