September the 18th, 2025 – The smallest book in the world can be found in Croatia, more specifically in a monastery on a tiny little island surrounded by turquoise waters.
As Putni kofer/Antonio Ivcevic writes, the gorgeous Krka National Park is one of those very special places that simply takes your breath away at first sight. Spanning a relatively small area, beautiful waterfalls and lakes, stone cliffs and lush vegetation intertwine. Every step taken here reveals a scene that is simply surreal. The centre of the park and the biggest attraction for visitors are the magnificent waterfalls, no less than seven of them. There’s more to Krka National Park than them, however. In addition to these stunning natural wonders, Krka also boasts a truly precious pearl of cultural and spiritual heritage, the islet of Visovac and the monastery of the Mother of Mercy (Majke od Milosti).
Located in the middle of an idyllic turquoise lake, Visovac has captivated attention for centuries with its silence and sense of zen. When you look at it from the mainland, the scene appears like a fairy tale because before your eyes. This small green island is surrounded by crystalline water, above which the facades of churches and monasteries rise up, harmoniously integrated into the carefully cultivated nature. This fairy-tale scene, which is forever etched into the memory of everyone who visits it, reveals a place where history, faith and nature seamlessly come together.
the home of the smallest book in the world
Visovac is home to the Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy and the Church of Our Lady of Visovac. The friars arrived here way back during the 15th century, and since then, they have been preserving the heritage and identity of this region with determination. The monastery is a place of prayer and contemplation, as well as a real living museum because it houses a rich collection of archaeological objects, church vestments and, what is especially fascinating, a library with precious incunabula and rare editions. It’s also where the smallest book in the world is kept. It’s “Our Father”, printed in seven languages, and only a few millimetres in size.
Visovac itself is small at only 200 metres long and 150 metres wide, but its value is not measured by its size. Many also refer to it as “Our Lady’s Island” because of the centuries-old veneration of the Mother of God. According to legend, the Franciscans brought a miraculous image of Our Lady to Visovac from Bosnia, which is still kept in the church today. It’s precisely this image, along with many legends and tradition, that has given Visovac an additional spiritual dimension that can truly be felt with every single step taken there.
visovac – the home of peace
Visitors who set foot on the island often speak of a special silence. Not the ordinary kind, but the kind that calms and brings inner peace. There’s no car noise or city hustle and bustle on Visovac, and the whisper of the wind and the gentle lapping of the water around the island create the feeling of having stepped into another world.
Visovac can only be reached by boat, and the starting points are Skradinski buk and Roški slap. The trip itself lasts about two hours, and includes a half-hour stay on the island. This short stay is enough to walk through the landscaped gardens, look at the collections in the monastery and feel the atmosphere of the place.
Over the centuries, Visovac has transformed into so much more than a small island on the Krka River. It is a symbol of faith, culture and resilience. The Franciscans transformed it into a guardian of national identity, as well as an oasis where natural beauty harmoniously combines with spirituality. It’s no wonder that many call this island a place of silence and eternal beauty, because that is exactly what it is. The fact that the smallest book in the world is also in Croatia, and calls this little slice of heaven home, is an additional impressive fact.
krka – gorgeous year-round
Although the Krka National Park is a truly incredible place to visit at any time of the year, autumn gives it a very special magic. The lush greenery gradually turns into golden, orange and red shades, and the waterfalls framed by the rich autumn colours look even more impressive. The crowds are also significantly smaller than in the hot, often insufferable summer months, meaning that visitors can peacefully indulge in their strolls along the various trails, explore the cultural and historical landmarks or simply enjoy the utter peace and silence of nature.
