The Benedictine Monastery with the Church of St. Andrew, located on the cliffs above the bay of St. Euphemia on Rab, is one of the oldest and most important sanctuaries on the island. Founded during the 11th century, the monastery was originally intended for the noble daughters of Rab families. Although some historians link its founding to the year 1123, there is no solid documentary evidence to support this claim.
The first written record of this ancient monastery comes from an inscription on the bell tower, where Abbess Ivana is mentioned. The bell tower, built in 1181, is of a simple Romanesque design and is the oldest of the four distinctive bell towers on Rab, symbolizing centuries of devotion and cultural heritage preserved by the monastery.
The Benedictine nuns of St. Andrew on Rab remain faithful to their centuries-old mission of prayer and work, rooted in the Benedictine rule “Pray and Work” (Ora et labora). Their daily life is filled with contemplation and dedication, where prayer, carefully nurtured and prepared, becomes the center of their lives. In the peacefulness of the monastery, they not only offer monastic hospitality but also allow all visitors to become part of the spiritual atmosphere, finding refuge from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.
