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 Tuzla–Županja road. The recently restored Dubrave Monastery continues the legacy of a monastery founded in the 14th century in the nearby village of Skakava.

The monastery in Skakava is mentioned in the list of monasteries compiled by Bartol of Pisa in 1385. In 1906, a new parish house was built, while the former parish church (35 × 15 m) was constructed in 1927. During the last war, this church was completely destroyed. Construction of a new church began in June 2002, based on the design of architect Ivan Štraus.
In 1978, a new parish house was built, and in 1982 a monastery was established there, effectively restoring the one that had once existed in nearby Skakava. In this way, monastic life was revived in Dubrave, continuing the legacy of the long-destroyed monastery. Although rooted in a rich spiritual and historical heritage, the present-day monastery is, in many respects, a young institution still shaping its own cultural identity. In 2001–2002, the monastery was renovated and expanded according to the design of architect Zlatko Čolić.
In June 1983, as part of the celebrations marking the renewal of the monastery, a small art gallery was opened in Dubrave. The old parish house was renovated, and part of it was adapted to house a collection of around eighty exhibits. The collection was largely formed through donations by Fra S. Pavić, Fra F. Stjepanović, and others. It includes drawings, prints, paintings and sculptures.
The collection features works by artists from older, middle and younger generations, representing a variety of artistic styles and movements. Among them are prominent names in contemporary art, such as Meštrović, Kršinić, Lovrenčić, Mujadžić, Murtić, Šohaj and Rački, and many others.
During the last war, the artworks were preserved, and the “Šimun” Gallery was reopened on 10 October 2001. In 2003, a bronze statue of St Anthony, the work of Mile Blažević, was acquired.