FRANCISCAN MONASTERY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN DUBRAVE

DUBRAVE – The parish of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Dubrave is located near Brčko, not far from the main road Tuzla–Županja. The recently revived monastery in Dubrave is the successor of the monastery founded in the 14th century in the nearby village of Skakava.

The monastery in Skakava is mentioned in the list of monasteries by Bartol of Pisa in 1385. In 1906, a new parish house was built, and the until recently used parish church (35×15 m) was built in 1927. During the last war, that parish church was completely destroyed. Construction of a new church began in June 2002, based on the design by Ivan Straus.

In 1978, a new parish house building was constructed, and in 1982 a monastery was established there, effectively reviving the one that had once existed in nearby Skakava. Thus, the life of the long-destroyed monastery continued in Dubrave. Although the new monastery lives on the historic spiritual heritage, it is in many ways a young monastery that is still developing its own cultural tradition. In 2001/02, the monastery was renovated and expanded according to the plan of architect Zlatko Čolić.

In June 1983, as a contribution to the celebration of the monastery’s revival, a small art gallery was opened in Dubrave. The old parish house was renovated, and in one part of it a collection of about eighty exhibits was housed. The collection was largely formed through the donations of Fra S. Pavić, Fra F. Stjepanović, and others. It features drawings, graphics, paintings, and sculptures.

The works represent artists from older, middle, and younger generations, with various artistic styles and directions. Among the artists are names that hold a prominent place in our contemporary art, such as Meštrović, Kršinić, Lovrenčić, Mujadžić, Murtić, Šohaj, Rački, and others.

During the last war, the artworks were preserved, and the “Šimun” Gallery was reopened on October 10, 2001. In 2003, a bronze statue of St. Anthony, made by Mile Blažević, was acquired.