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MedGulets
San Ciriaco Chapel

San Ciriaco Chapel

San Ciriaco Chapel is not in the city of Zadar itself but on Premuda, a small outer island of the Zadar archipelago roughly 9 km² in area, with a population of just 64 at the 2011 census. The island's single settlement is split between two harbours — Krijal, the main port, and Valle Losa, home to the ferry pier.

The chapel, dedicated to St Cyriacus and known locally as Sveti Krijal, overlooks Krijal harbour and served as Premuda's parish church until the 18th century; a small cemetery still stands beside it. It remains a modest village chapel rather than a tourist sight, and is often kept locked outside services.

Premuda is better known among sailors and divers for two other landmarks: the "Katedrala," a system of sea caves where sunlight filters through the porous rock, and the wreck of the Austro-Hungarian battleship SMS Szent István, sunk by Italian torpedo boats on 10 June 1918 and now lying at around 66 metres.

For those cruising the outer islands, Premuda and its chapel make for a popular stop for gulet charter guests exploring Croatia.