Franciscan monastery of Široki Brijeg is a Franciscan monastery and the main church in the city of Široki Brijeg, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was built in 1846.[1] It is considered 'the symbol of the city'. It is a popular site of religious pilgrimage, located an hour away from Međugorje.[2] On April 15, 2011, Branko Šalamon and political members from Međimurje County visited the monastery.[3]
The monastery was built in 1846 in the city of Široki Brijeg.
On February 7,1945, Communist soldiers arrived and proclaimed that "God is Dead, there is no pope, there is no church. You also go out in the world and work." The Communists ordered the Franciscans to stop following their religion, threatening to kill them if they refused. All of the thirty Franciscans refused and kneeled on the ground, praying to God. They were slaughtered for their beliefs and later burned. Today they are referred to as "Martyrs" and are buried inside the Monastery. [4]
August 15 is the largest Christian meeting in the city, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary.