THE CHAPEL OF ST BERNARD

In the eastern side of the old town of Ogulin, built by the Frankopan family, next to the castle and the entrance complex, a small chapel dedicated to St Bernard is situated. It once functioned as the parish church until the end of the 18^th century. The chapel had a rectangular nave with elongated shrine ending in a polygonal shape. The nave was demolished in the first half of the 19^th century, while clearing the residues of the Old Town, in order to make room for new road along the edge of the Đula Abyss. The chapel is shaped like a tower, because it was built for defence purposes as well.

Only the prominent polygonal shrine of the former Parish Church of St Bernard has “survived” to the present day. We do not know when the church was desacralized. It is possible that it was used for sacral purposes, as a prison chapel, even after the new parish church was built.

The Medieval (Gothic) character of the building is clearly seen on the facade of the shrine. It is the only masoned structure of such a distinct building character.

The Chapel of St Bernard has recently been renovated, and it showcases the tombstone of Stjepan Frankopan II of Modruš, the father of Bernardin Frankopan.