On the verge of the first day of summer, in an atmosphere of anticipation for the longest day of the year, the royal city of Nin is preparing for another, seventeenth in a row, edition of a unique event that celebrates nature, science, and art. The Festival of Sun and Light, an event that has become synonymous with the celebration of the summer solstice, will once again gather numerous visitors, scientists, artists, and lovers of rich history, inviting them to welcome the arrival of summer together at a place where the past and present intertwine in the most magical way possible.

This festival is not just a mere marking of a calendar change; it is deeply rooted in the astronomical phenomena that have shaped the lives and beliefs of the people in this area for centuries. At the center of it all is the ancient Church of the Holy Cross, an architectural gem and a silent witness of time, whose orientation is perfectly aligned with the movement of the Sun, making it a kind of ancient calendar and sundial.

An unforgettable dawn with the first rays of the summer sun

The festival program traditionally begins with a truly special event that remains etched in the memory of every visitor. In the early morning hours, while the ancient city is still waking up, an early morning concert titled "Unforgettable Dawn in Nin" will be held at the Church of the Holy Cross. This year, the magic of the first summer morning will be enriched by the voice of the renowned Zadar soprano Nela Šarić, whose artistic career is crowned with numerous awards and performances on prestigious stages. Her performance will begin at 5:30 AM, creating a soundscape for the spectacle that follows.

The highlight of the morning program will occur at exactly 05:39:44 AM. At that moment, the first ray of the summer sun will appear above the mighty Velebit mountain, illuminating the Nin lagoon and the gathered crowd. It is a moment of togetherness, quiet admiration, and a greeting to the new season, a moment where music, nature, and spirituality merge. It is an experience that transcends an ordinary concert and becomes a deeply personal experience of connection with the cycles of nature that our ancestors also revered.

The Mystery of the Church of the Holy Cross: The Croatian Stonehenge

The backbone of the entire festival and its scientific foundation is the Church of the Holy Cross, a structure that, due to its characteristics, bears the flattering name "the Croatian Stonehenge". It is considered the smallest cathedral in the world, and its importance far exceeds its modest dimensions. This pre-Romanesque building from the 9th century was designed with incredible precision. Its openings and windows are positioned to follow the movement of the sun throughout the year, and its deviation from the proper east-west axis allows it to record the points of the solstice and equinox.

During the festival, visitors will have the opportunity to witness this phenomenon. From 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, a "Play of Sunbeams" will take place inside the church. With expert interpretation, one can observe how sunlight passes through precisely placed cracks and openings, creating a unique dance of light and shadow on the inner walls. It is this event, based on the research of Mladen Pejaković, that reveals how the church served as a reliable calendar and sundial, crucial for life in the Middle Ages. Its significance is recognized in modern times as well, as evidenced by the fact that a stylized representation of the church is on the coat of arms and flag of Zadar County, confirming its status as a regional symbol. It is also fascinating that its unique architecture served as an inspiration for the construction of newer sacral buildings, such as the replica in the courtyard of the Benedictine monastery in Lviv and the monumental Church of Croatian Martyrs in Udbina.

A rich cultural and educational program throughout the day

The Festival of Sun and Light offers a diverse program that continues throughout the day, celebrating not only natural phenomena but also the rich culture and history of the royal city. For the youngest visitors, starting at 9 AM, an art workshop will be organized in the idyllic ambiance of the Baroque House courtyard, where children can express their creativity inspired by the sun, summer, and the history of Nin.

In the evening, the program moves to the very heart of the historic core. At 7 PM, in front of the magnificent monument to Duke Branimir, visitors will be greeted by unusual guides. The characters of Petar Zoranić Ninjanin, the author of the first Croatian novel "Planine" (Mountains), and the fairy Hrvatica, will bring the spirit of the Renaissance to life and lead the gathered on a costumed tour of the city. It will be a journey through time, interwoven with excerpts from his work, legends, and stories about the glorious past of Nin, an ideal opportunity to explore the accommodation offer.

As the crown of the evening, at Višeslav Square, starting at 8 PM, a lecture by Prof. Dr. Sc. Damir Magaš titled "The Nin Area in the Age of King Tomislav" will be held. The lecture is dedicated to a great anniversary, 1100 years since the coronation of the first Croatian king and the establishment of the Croatian Kingdom. Professor Magaš, a prominent geographer and expert on the history of Nin, will provide insight into the importance that Nin had in that crucial period of Croatian statehood, as one of the capitals and a key political and religious center.

Nin: The Cradle of Croatian Statehood and a Treasury of History

Every corner of Nin breathes history. As the oldest Croatian royal city, it was a permanent or temporary residence of national rulers, dukes Višeslav, Trpimir, and Branimir, and kings Tomislav and Petar Krešimir IV. It was also the seat of the first Croatian bishop, and the bishops of Nin, led by Grgur Ninski, played a key role in preserving the Glagolitic script and national identity. From the Illyrian tribe of Liburnians, through the Roman municipium of Aenona, to the turbulent medieval centuries and later destruction by the Venetians, Nin went through glorious and difficult periods, but it always remained a symbol of Croatian survival. Today's festivals, like this one dedicated to the Sun, are not just a tourist attraction, but a way for the city to preserve and promote its priceless heritage. The festival is organized under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Zadar County, and the Zadar County Tourist Board, and a key partner in the project is the Archaeological Museum of Zadar, specifically its Museum of Nin Antiquities, which preserves precious artifacts of this long and glorious history.