Grgur Ninski Statue
Grgur Ninski Statue
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Roman colony: Colonia Martia Julia Salonae.
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- Aidan R58 contributionsA Symbolic Stop in Split’s HeartThe Grgur Ninski Statue in Split is an iconic historic site that stands as a symbol of local identity and tradition. The impressive bronze statue of Bishop Gregory of Nin is a striking sight, and rubbing his toe for good luck is a fun tradition that many visitors partake in. While the statue itself is noteworthy and the surrounding square is lively, I found the experience somewhat brief. A bit more historical context or interpretive information would have enriched the visit. Nevertheless, it's a unique and culturally significant spot in Split that's worth a visit, and it's conveniently located near other attractions in the city center.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 October 2023
- tinaNtravelSan Jose, California2,019 contributionsLarge, interesting statue - worth a picThis is a large iconic bronze statue outside the Golden Gate where a number of the walking tours start. It is also a nice place to walk around with a park and a small waterfall in the wall where you can kneel down on one side and your friends/family on the other and take a few pictures through the waterfall. The statue and surrounding area are worth a quick visit.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 January 2024
- 301lisa33Coventry, United Kingdom2,012 contributionsUnusual in styleThis statue is huge at 7m and is quite unusual in style - it could represent a character from say Lord of the Rings. It is just possible to see where it was cut into 4 pieces to hide during the recent war. It has become 'the thing to do' to rub his toe - which is high glass as a result. It is located just to the north of the Palace by its wallsVisited May 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 7 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
1,112 reviews
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352
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483
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254
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17
Terrible
6
TOMOSUMIC
Trogir, Croatia816 contributions
Jan 2023
The whole of Split is in a winter dream.
I like to walk around Split at this time of the year, because there are no tourists and everything is somewhat calm. Today there was a girl in front of the monument and she played some beautiful old Dalmatian songs.
This was my first stop and my first photos. now I'm going to the center of Diocletian's palace.
I like to walk around Split at this time of the year, because there are no tourists and everything is somewhat calm. Today there was a girl in front of the monument and she played some beautiful old Dalmatian songs.
This was my first stop and my first photos. now I'm going to the center of Diocletian's palace.
Written 5 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stewart C
Chatham, UK1,110 contributions
Jun 2022
We visited the statue of Grgur Ninski in Split whilst on a one day stop in the city on a Tuesday in June. Arriving on a cruise ship, we had opted to explore the port on our own as we had previously visited here about three years ago.
The striking statue is located close by the Golden Gate of the Palace of Diocletian and towers over the small square. The statue commemorates a medieval Croatian bishop and rubbing his left, big toe is said to bring good luck and indeed this toe is noticeably very shiny and worn smooth by visitors. If you wish to get a clear picture of the statue you will have to be patient as it is a popular draw with tourist to the city all of whom want to stroke the toe.
The striking statue is located close by the Golden Gate of the Palace of Diocletian and towers over the small square. The statue commemorates a medieval Croatian bishop and rubbing his left, big toe is said to bring good luck and indeed this toe is noticeably very shiny and worn smooth by visitors. If you wish to get a clear picture of the statue you will have to be patient as it is a popular draw with tourist to the city all of whom want to stroke the toe.
Written 19 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CatharineB
Ottawa, Canada1,641 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Just outside the Golden Gate one can find another one of Meštrović’s work (they are all over the city and a visit to his museum is worthwhile).
At 8.5 meters high, this bronze mammoth use to stand in the Peristyle before it was moved during WWII when the Italian occupiers attempted to cleanse the centre of Split of anything resembling a Croatian national symbol.
The gigantic statue of the 10th century Bishop Grgur Ninski was completed in 1929 to mark the thousandth anniversary of the Synod of Split, at which Grgur (Gregory), Bishop of Nin, fought for the right to use Croatian in the liturgy instead of Latin.
The church remained adamant that all services must be delivered in Latin, even at a time when many priests did not speak or understand the language.
Gregory became an important figure for Croatians and is now regarded as a historical defender of Croatian culture, language, and statehood.
Gregory is deep bronze in color, apart from one of his big toes, which has turned golden by decades of constant rubbing. Croatians are taught from an early age that rubbing Gregory’s big toe will grant them their wish, and he has been credited with births, weddings, and riches. Each day hundreds of people stop to rub the toe, before venturing through the Golden Gate into the walled enclosure of the city.
At 8.5 meters high, this bronze mammoth use to stand in the Peristyle before it was moved during WWII when the Italian occupiers attempted to cleanse the centre of Split of anything resembling a Croatian national symbol.
The gigantic statue of the 10th century Bishop Grgur Ninski was completed in 1929 to mark the thousandth anniversary of the Synod of Split, at which Grgur (Gregory), Bishop of Nin, fought for the right to use Croatian in the liturgy instead of Latin.
The church remained adamant that all services must be delivered in Latin, even at a time when many priests did not speak or understand the language.
Gregory became an important figure for Croatians and is now regarded as a historical defender of Croatian culture, language, and statehood.
Gregory is deep bronze in color, apart from one of his big toes, which has turned golden by decades of constant rubbing. Croatians are taught from an early age that rubbing Gregory’s big toe will grant them their wish, and he has been credited with births, weddings, and riches. Each day hundreds of people stop to rub the toe, before venturing through the Golden Gate into the walled enclosure of the city.
Written 26 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
trvldawn
Cherry Hill, NJ126 contributions
May 2022 • Family
Unexpected surprise. Touched the toe for good luck. The statue is huge. Fun thing to see. As a Roman Catholic, I applaud the Bishop’s stand on bringing the mass to his people in their native language…..a man way ahead of his time.
Written 7 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sean W
London, UK823 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
The statue of Gregory of Nin (Grgur Ninski) next to the Diocletian's Palace Golden Gate. This enormous Mestrovic' statue is supposed to bring luck to those who rub its toe. Some say ten years other say twenty years but either way its a lot of luck.
Written 25 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Big_Jeff_Leo
St Helens, UK22,620 contributions
May 2022
Sculpted by Ivan Meštrović, this gargantuan statue is one of the defining images of Split. Its subject, a 10th-century Croatian bishop, fought for the right to use old Croatian in liturgical services instead of Latin. Notice that his left big toe has been polished to a shine – it’s said that rubbing the toe brings good luck.
Written 15 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sunilein
Hamburg, Germany28 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
I rubbed it. I rubbed it hard!
The statue is a wonderful piece of art and the surroundings is a great place to soak up the historic scene and vibe of Split. It's definitely worth visiting. Give the toe a big rub and let it do its magic. :)
The statue is a wonderful piece of art and the surroundings is a great place to soak up the historic scene and vibe of Split. It's definitely worth visiting. Give the toe a big rub and let it do its magic. :)
Written 16 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jbg74
Saint Paul, MN1,099 contributions
Jun 2021
This is a cool statue right outside the gold gate of Diocletian's Palace. It looks like a wizard casting a spell. The sculptor is by a famous Croatian artist - Ivan Meštrović. This bishop introduced the Croatian language into Catholic worship services and promoted the Croatian language.
Written 10 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aidan R
58 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
The Grgur Ninski Statue in Split is an iconic historic site that stands as a symbol of local identity and tradition. The impressive bronze statue of Bishop Gregory of Nin is a striking sight, and rubbing his toe for good luck is a fun tradition that many visitors partake in. While the statue itself is noteworthy and the surrounding square is lively, I found the experience somewhat brief. A bit more historical context or interpretive information would have enriched the visit. Nevertheless, it's a unique and culturally significant spot in Split that's worth a visit, and it's conveniently located near other attractions in the city center.
Written 7 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK186,708 contributions
May 2023
This monument is a tribute to Gregory of Nin, a mediaeval bishop of Nin who introduced the Croatian language into church services. The monument is a larger than life statue of Gregory of Nin. The sculpture is monumental and does feel inspiring, with the bishop standing in a pose suggestive of victory.
Written 29 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hauteur de la statue ? Tout le monde parle de l'orteil, de la statue monumentale, impressionnante etc., mais personne nous indique l'auteur.
Written 2 August 2019
Está enfrente de la puesta de oro del palacio de Diocleciano
Espero que te sirva de ayuda. Buen viaje
Written 6 August 2019
How do i get to it from stadium
Written 7 September 2017
Head towards Diocletian's palace. Its at the Golden Gate entrance.
Written 10 September 2017
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