Grgur Ninski Statue
Grgur Ninski Statue
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Roman colony: Colonia Martia Julia Salonae.
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  • trvldawn
    Cherry Hill, New Jersey117 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unexpected surprise.
    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.
    Visited May 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written April 7, 2023
  • Sandy Drees
    Johannesburg, South Africa61 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Tuch the lucky toe
    Whoever comes to Split for the first time is supposed to touch Bishop Gregory's lucky toe - so he or she would keep coming back and have a wish fulfilled. So I did my task too. Otherwise it's an impressive statue with some history, which was moved here after first being pllaced at the Peristyle.
    Visited May 2023
    Written May 21, 2023
  • macedonboy
    Glasgow, United Kingdom179,691 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Monumental Statue
    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.
    Visited May 2023
    Written May 29, 2023
  • Ginges_revenge
    Brisbane, Australia4,732 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A nice imposing statue with another tale of rubbing something(a toe) for good luck
    What was starting to annoy me was a lot of statues / monuments that now people are starting to rub as good luck or touching as it will bring you back to the place. A direct rip off from the Trevi fountain in Rome and this was another one with that, having to rub the toe. I couldn't find any historical information to back the theory. As statues go, I actually liked it as it was a strong and imposing statue located just outside the Golden gate of the Diocletian's palace. The Croatian Bishop fought for Croatian language to be used in the churches. Good for a photo and your choice as to rubbing his toe for luck if you believe in that.
    Visited March 2023
    Written July 22, 2023
  • CatharineB
    Ottawa, Canada1,117 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Rub the toe for good luck
    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.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written July 26, 2023
  • SnowyShasta
    Portland, Oregon2,151 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Imposing statue
    This statue of Gregory of Nin is just outside the Golden Gate (northern entrance to Diocletian's palace). It's on a pedestal and very large and imposing. We took a photo and enjoyed a minute or two learning about Gregory and taking it in.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written September 23, 2023
  • AlbertSalichs
    Manresa, Spain11,524 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Big and impressive statue
    Grgur Ninski Statue is a big statue to remember this important bishop of the region and it is located close to the walls of the old town of Split, in Dalmatian Coast. In fact, it was an important bishop, because he wanted to introduce the local language in mass and he had to fight against the Pope. The statue is big and impressive, really it is impossible not to see it.
    Visited October 2022
    Travelled with friends
    Written September 25, 2023
  • Eva T
    United Kingdom1,393 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Impressive monument to important local men
    You cannot miss it when leaving Diocletian's Palace at Golden Gate - the statue is huge. Dedicated to medieval bishop who opposed use of Latin in the church and wanted use of Croatian language. Many tourists, and locals, are rubbing his big toe for good luck.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written September 30, 2023
  • Aidan R
    19 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Symbolic Stop in Split’s Heart
    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.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written October 7, 2023
  • tinaNtravel
    San Jose, California2,011 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Large, interesting statue - worth a pic
    This 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 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written January 16, 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
4.0 of 5 bubbles1,104 reviews
Excellent
351
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477
Average
253
Poor
17
Terrible
6

tinaNtravel
San Jose, CA2,011 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
This 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.
Written January 17, 2024
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.

MateuszK
Jaworzno, Poland66 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Family
What's there to write? One of the most characteristic points to see in Split. It is obligatory to rub Ninski Grgur's big toe :)
Written November 17, 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.

LittleALJO
Stockholm, Sweden617 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Friends
We just passed the statue on our round tour in the city, its very big and was quite a lot of people... we touched his foot, took some pictures and then kept on walking.
Written November 2, 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.

Aidan R
19 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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 October 7, 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.

Eva T
United Kingdom1,393 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
You cannot miss it when leaving Diocletian's Palace at Golden Gate - the statue is huge. Dedicated to medieval bishop who opposed use of Latin in the church and wanted use of Croatian language. Many tourists, and locals, are rubbing his big toe for good luck.
Written September 30, 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.

AlbertSalichs
Manresa, Spain11,524 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Friends
Grgur Ninski Statue is a big statue to remember this important bishop of the region and it is located close to the walls of the old town of Split, in Dalmatian Coast. In fact, it was an important bishop, because he wanted to introduce the local language in mass and he had to fight against the Pope. The statue is big and impressive, really it is impossible not to see it.
Written September 25, 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.

SnowyShasta
Portland, OR2,151 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Couples
This statue of Gregory of Nin is just outside the Golden Gate (northern entrance to Diocletian's palace). It's on a pedestal and very large and imposing. We took a photo and enjoyed a minute or two learning about Gregory and taking it in.
Written September 23, 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.

Jason S
Melbourne, Australia1,693 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023 • Solo
Great larger copper statue located outside the golden gate.

Must be almost 10 metres tall really good for photos, said if you rub feet you get good luck!!!
Written August 28, 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.

ABC
Leeds, UK20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
This is a cool statue with a great back story. You will see the statue in a new light when you get to know the story!!
Written August 23, 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.

CatharineB
Ottawa, Canada1,117 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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.
Written July 26, 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.

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