Summary
The sculpture of St John of Povlja in the coastal area of Povlja is the work of Pero Jakšić. It is dedicated to the village’s patron saint, who features in local traditions about walking on water and protecting the village from the plague.
The sculpture of St John of Povlja in the coastal area of Povlja is the work of Pero Jakšić. It is dedicated to the village’s patron saint, who features in local traditions about walking on water and protecting the village from the plague.
Patron saint of Povlja and local tradition
A tourism description of Povlja recounts the tradition of St John walking on water and driving away the plague with his words. This is part of local tradition, not a historically confirmed event.
The tradition is associated with different places: a public monument in the harbour and a separate rock with footprints on the road towards Točnjak. The hollows in the rock are a separate site in local tradition.
A sculpture by Pero Jakšić
In his catalogue of public works, Pero Jakšić lists a sculpture called Sv. Ivan Povaljski in Povlja. This documents the artist’s authorship, separately from the oral stories that explain the dedication.
The figure stands in public coastal space. It is not a statue inside the parish Church of St John the Baptist; similar names should not be used to conflate two physically distinct sites.
Access and visiting
You can view the monument while walking along the coast at Povlja. The church and the rock with footprints require separate directions; the sculpture marker does not lead to those other places.
