Biskupija is shaped above all by archaeological church sites and their varied architectural forms. Crkvina is the largest archaeological site in Biskupija. In the 9th century, the church there served as a mausoleum for a Croatian dynasty. Its three-nave layout had a three-part western section and a western bell tower. The archaeological site of Crkvina is located in a Roman Catholic cemetery.

Church architecture in Biskupija

The sites at Stupovi and Lopuška Glavica offer an informative comparison of their floor plans. Stupovi was home to a pre-Romanesque basilica with three naves and three apses, dated to the 9th century. Lopuška Glavica, by contrast, was home to a single-nave longitudinal church with two apses. A total of 54 graves have been definitively identified around this church. Three naves and three apses here, a long nave and two apses there: these differences illustrate the variety of church buildings at the archaeological sites.

The Church of St Mary is also connected with art history: it is associated with the earliest known depiction of the Virgin Mary in Croatian art. A memorial church was built on the foundations of the church between 1937 and 1938, based on a design by Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović. Thus, the history of the earlier church and a later monument come together at this site.

Cycling route and planning your stay

As another option for planning your trip, the named Lopuška-glavica cycling route passes through Biskupija along the Knin–Potkonje–Biskupija–Kovačić–Knin route. It is 17.06 kilometres long and has a total elevation gain of 133 metres. The route length and total ascent provide concrete points of reference for your planning; check the current signage and conditions before setting out.

When choosing a holiday apartment, it may be helpful to decide in advance what you want to focus on during your stay: would you like to focus on church architecture, or include the designated cycling route?

In the wider destination of Općina Biskupija

In the wider destination of Općina Biskupija, the municipality lies in Kosovsko Polje, south of Knin. The broader historical context complements the area's archaeological features: around 400 graves dating from the late 8th to the 15th century were found at Crkvina. In the 11th century, Biskupija became the residence of the Croatian court bishop; the Diocese of Knin was established in 1040.

Other places within the wider destination also offer insight into different historical periods. At the Villa Rustica in Orlić, the remains of the foundations of the residential and agricultural sections can be seen. The site consists of the remains of a Roman villa dating from the 2nd century. As a landmark in the landscape, Velika Promina rises on the municipality’s western karst plateau. The Kosovčica is a 12.5-kilometre-long left tributary of the Krka and flows through Kosovsko Polje.

Discover more destinations: Zvjerinac

To the wider travel overview: Općina Biskupija.