Jelena of Zadar

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Jelena Slavna, Solin

Jelena of Zadar, Queen of Croatia, was the wife of Croatian King Mihajlo Krešimir II. They jointly ruled over Croatia from 946 to 969, a period which was marked by peace, order and expeditious growth. Queen Jelena was revered by her subjects and was most adored for her charity.

Jelena built the churches of Sv. Stjepan (St. Stephen) and Sv. Marija (St. Mary) in Solin. The atrium of the latter became the Mausoleum of Croatian Kings and Queens and is preserved to the present day. Jelena was also known by her subjects as "Mother of the Kingdom and protectress of orphans and widows". Jelena played a central role in uniting Croatian and Latin elements within the Kingdom thus laying the groundwork for her son, Stjepan Držislav, to assume sovereignty over the Dalmatian thema (which was under nominal Byzantine rule).

Jelena died in October 976. She is buried next to her husband in Sv. Marija. The royal inscription on her sarcophagus is one of the most important epitaphs discovered by archaeologists. The epitaph, which shed light on the genealogy of early Croatian rulers, was discovered by Don Frane Bulic at the end of the 19th century. The English translation is as follows:

In this grave rests the glorious Jelena, wife of King Mihajlo, mother of King Stephen. She ruled/ brought peace to the Kingdom. On the 8th day of October 976 from the incarnation of Our Lord..... she was buried here. During her life as Queen she was also mother of orphans and protectress of widows. May those who look here say: God have mercy upon her soul.