The Festival of Sun and Light
The Festival of Sun and Light- 21.06.2026. - 21.06.2026.
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Make a warm welcome to the summer in the historic town of Nin and enjoy the longest day of the year! Celebrate the fisrt summer day on June 21st at the Festival of Sun and Light.
Do you know where the world's smallest ( named by Thomas Jackson) cathedral is hidden?
It is the Church of the Holy Cross located in Nin, and some connoisseurs compare it to the world-famous Stonehenge. Right there the festival program starts at at 9:30 the first day of summer begins, with a costumed family adventure "Where is Peter's shadow hiding?". Children, parents, grandparents will set out together in search of Peter's lost shadow through the streets and historical corners of Nin, exploring the stories that connect the Sun, space and identity of the city.
From 10 am to 12 pm, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the unique phenomenon of Solar Noon, when the sun's rays penetrate the Church of the Holy Cross, creating a special light experience. This exceptional combination of architecture, astronomy and nature has been a testament to the uniqueness of one of the most recognizable Croatian monuments for centuries. Namely, each side of the church has an oval opening, and its construction and position in relation to the position of the sun throughout the year depend on the winter and summer solstices and the spring and autumn equinoxes, and it was created to serve as a sundial and calendar. The Church of the Holy Cross is a kind of symbol of the region, as it is featured in the flag and coat of arms of Zadar County. This special building is believed to have been a votive chapel, and is located in the immediate vicinity of the first cathedral in Croatia - the Church of St. Anselm. The Church of the Holy Cross from the 9th century is one of the most valuable monuments of ancient Croatian architecture.
The evening part of the program opens with a lecture by Prof. Dr. Sc. Ante Uglešić entitled "St. Cross - Coexistence of Settlement Area, Chapel and Cemetery", which will be held at 7:30 PM at the Museum of Nin Antiquities. The lecture will provide the audience with new knowledge about the historical and archaeological context of the site of the Church of the Holy Cross.
At 9 p.m., the festival moves to Višeslavov trg, where Borna Pehar and Michael Marginter will round off the celebration of the first day of summer with a jazz concert in the unique ambiance of the historic core of Nin.
For eighteen years, the Festival of Sun and Light has been gathering visitors eager for authentic experiences, connecting cultural heritage, natural phenomena and contemporary artistic content. The organizers invite all interested parties to step into summer together through light, creativity and the special atmosphere of the city of Nin.
Marin Stulić
