Church of Saint Fosca is a small sanctuary in Istria (Croatia) that people have been visiting for a long period of time because popular belief is that Fosca can heal and help people. People from all over the world visit this place, but the most people we found here were having cars with local Croatian or Italian registration plates on it. We were surprised because the church is situated on lonely meadow, far away from the local villages. We wonder how it could happen when we know that the most of the churches were part of some settlement. That is because the church is situated on the center of powerful energy fields that healed many people and that every individual feels on his way. You can feel shudder, heat, coldness, pain or something else. Saint Fosca is protector from headache, rheumatism and arthritis.

How to come to Saint Fosca?

If you are coming by car from direction of city Rijeka or Pula than after place Vodnjan turn to Trst (Trieste). On fourth kilometer follow traffic sign Mednjan. After third village you must turn left 300 m to church of St.Fosca. If you are coming by bus then you have to go to Vodnjan, then Peroj, and then drive to traffic sign Batvači. Here you must park the bus and go right 300 m by the walk to the church.

Information from 9th July 2003:  Church is open at sunday at 2:00 PM. Holy mass is on every first sunday of the month at 4:00 PM.

Miracles that happened in church of St.Fosca

Many people claim that their health situation has changed here in a positive way, and that they found  peace and strength for life thanks to St.Fosca. Many news papers written about the healings here, but the catholic church admits healings only when commission confess that, and that commission St. Fosca hasn’t got so we can’t talk about official heallings here. Local papers Novi List wrote recently about some man,  who claims that St. Fosca cured him from cancer. First document about miracle dates from long time ago (1681), and his author was bishop Giacomo Tomasini. Voice of miracles spread all over the world but mostly after church was visited by Zeljko Vragovic from Zagreb. He had levitation in church and was cured from some cureless disease. His advice for healthy body and mind is belief in God, prayer and care for our body. 

History of church and architecture

Around year 600 – the basilica was built

7 th century- the ships were built and some local Benedictine painted it with frescos.

8 th century - galilee (gallery) was built on arches for acceptance of palmers.

1956 - gallery dropped down. Scientists have various opinions. Some of them think that gallery has to be covered, while others think is better to leave gallery uncovered to accentuate primary basilica.

The medium roof was covered with stone discs till 1998 and was renovate. Only one fresco (from 7 th century) and some trails left. Church is untidy today because frescos have to be researched and firmed, what is a big financial expenditure. After that the church will be repainted. Also after Second World War many things were stolen or devastated. It’s a shame that the saint tombs on all three altars and devastators also ruined relics. Statues from altars today are situated in church in Vodnjan. Fortunately the church is more protected today than in the past.

The interior of church

Who was Saint Fosca?

Fosca (Fosca = swart) was girl from rich Roman family. She was born in 235 in Italian town Ravenna. That means that she was born 1700 year ago. Then Christianity in Rome illegal and Christians were closed in prisons, tortured and even murdered. When she was 11 or 12 year old Fosca was interested in many spiritual questions and she richness and pleasures didn’t not satisfy her. Finally she was discovered Christianity and started to behave by christian principles and not by roman. Her father noticed that change of behavior so Fosca admited to him that she christened and that she will not give up Christianity. The Roman father (pater familias) was the head of the family and had power over his family so he could even decide about life and death of family members (patria potestatis). Fosca’s father decided to  betray Fosca so he told roman authorities that Fosca is a Christian. They took her, tortured her and finally killed on February 13th 250 when she was only fifteen. St.Fosca was great sufferer and her bravery we remember even today.

Questions and suggestions are welcomed:

e-mail:tea@foska.cjb.net