Sveta Jelena
Encyclopedia
Sveta Jelena (ˈsveta jeˈlena) is a historic medieval site in Međimurje County, northern Croatia
.
Originally a distinct settlement, Sveta Jelena is part of the Šenkovec
municipality, about two kilometres away from Čakovec
to the north. The site is well known for its Pauline
monastery of Sveta Jelena (St. Helen in English) and associated facilities. Members of the Zrinski
noble family
were buried in a mausoleum
there. From the whole monastery complex, only the Saint Helen's Chapel still exists.
The monastery itself was founded by Stjepan II Lacković
(Stephen in English), Lord of Međimurje and Ban of Croatia
, on August 27, 1376, and dedicated to Blessed Virgin Mary and All Saints
. After Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
and the King of Croatia
abolished the Paulists
' provinces in his Empire on February 7, 1786, the members of the Order left Sveta Jelena.
Over time, the monastery complex had to be rebuilt several times after being damaged by disasters such as fires and earthquakes. In particular, a large earthquake in 1880 nearly destroyed the building. Partial archaeological excavations have been carried out recently by the local Međimurje Museum in Čakovec.
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
.
Originally a distinct settlement, Sveta Jelena is part of the Šenkovec
Šenkovec
Šenkovec is a municipality in Međimurje County, Croatia, located just outside the county seat, Čakovec.The municipality includes two villages – Šenkovec and Knezovec. In the 2001 census, the two villages were populated by a total of 2,770 people, most of whom are Croats...
municipality, about two kilometres away from Čakovec
Cakovec
Čakovec is a city in northern Croatia, located around 90 kilometres north of Zagreb, the Croatian capital. Čakovec is both the county seat and largest city of Međimurje County, the northernmost, smallest and most densely populated Croatian county.-Population:...
to the north. The site is well known for its Pauline
Paulists
Paulists, or Paulines, is the name used for several Roman Catholic Orders and Congregations taken in honour and under the patronage of St. Paul the Hermit....
monastery of Sveta Jelena (St. Helen in English) and associated facilities. Members of the Zrinski
Zrinski
The Zrinski family was a Croatian noble family, influential during the period in history marked by the Ottoman wars in Europe in the Kingdom of Croatia and Hungary and in the later Austro-Hungarian Empire...
noble family
Nobility
Nobility is a social class which possesses more acknowledged privileges or eminence than members of most other classes in a society, membership therein typically being hereditary. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be...
were buried in a mausoleum
Mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or persons. A monument without the interment is a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type of tomb or the tomb may be considered to be within the...
there. From the whole monastery complex, only the Saint Helen's Chapel still exists.
The monastery itself was founded by Stjepan II Lacković
Lackovic
The Laczkovich family is a noble family from Hungary and Croatia, which ruled Transylvania in the 14th century. The Laczkovich were the wealthiest family in 14th century Hungary, owning much of what is today Northern Croatia, Eastern Slovenia, and Western Hungary...
(Stephen in English), Lord of Međimurje and Ban of Croatia
Ban of Croatia
Ban of Croatia was the title of local rulers and after 1102 viceroys of Croatia. From earliest periods of Croatian state, some provinces were ruled by Bans as a rulers representative and supreme military commander. In the 18th century, Croatian bans eventually become chief government officials in...
, on August 27, 1376, and dedicated to Blessed Virgin Mary and All Saints
All Saints
All Saints' Day , often shortened to All Saints, is a solemnity celebrated on 1 November by parts of Western Christianity, and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in Eastern Christianity, in honour of all the saints, known and unknown...
. After Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Joseph II was Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 to 1790 and ruler of the Habsburg lands from 1780 to 1790. He was the eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa and her husband, Francis I...
and the King of Croatia
Kingdom of Croatia (Habsburg)
The Kingdom of Croatia was an administrative division that existed between 1527 and 1868 within the Habsburg Monarchy . The Kingdom was a part of the Lands of the Crown of St. Stephen, but was subject to direct Imperial Austrian rule for significant periods of time, including its final years...
abolished the Paulists
Paulists
Paulists, or Paulines, is the name used for several Roman Catholic Orders and Congregations taken in honour and under the patronage of St. Paul the Hermit....
' provinces in his Empire on February 7, 1786, the members of the Order left Sveta Jelena.
Over time, the monastery complex had to be rebuilt several times after being damaged by disasters such as fires and earthquakes. In particular, a large earthquake in 1880 nearly destroyed the building. Partial archaeological excavations have been carried out recently by the local Međimurje Museum in Čakovec.
