The Gorica Monastery – Livno is the second oldest Franciscan monastery in Livno chronologically. The oldest Franciscan monastery on the territory of present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina was the Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Bistrica (Livno). It was constructed in the early 14th century when Livno was a medieval Croatian district and the monastery was part of the Croatian province of “Sclavoniae.” With the establishment of the Bosnian Vicariate in 1340, the monastery in Livno was assigned to it. Following the fall of Livno to the Ottomans, the monastery was burned and disappeared forever. Archaeological excavations from 1991 to 1995 uncovered the entire monastery complex, which corresponds to the scheme of European monastic architecture of the late Middle Ages.
The Franciscans longed for the establishment of a new monastery for centuries. The extensive Livno parish, which included the Livno, Glamoč, and Grahovo regions and frequently changed the locations of its priests, was served primarily by Franciscans from the Rama and later the Fojnica monasteries. Brother Lovro Karaula purchased land on Gorica in 1833 and awaited more favorable political conditions for the construction of the monastery. Among the first ten imperial decrees received in March 1853, which granted “construction permits,” was also the church and monastery on Gorica. Construction of the monastery and church began in 1854, based on the plans of Split architect Franjo Moise and builder Ante Cecilijani from Imotski, originally from Trogir. The western wing of the monastery was completed in 1858 and became a residence that year, and in 1859, it was officially declared the Monastery of St. Peter. The southern wing was constructed from 1861 to 1868, and the northwest part of the monastery from 1873 to 1875. Reconstruction of the entire western wing, according to a project by Josip Vancaš, was carried out in 1923, and the southern wing in 1924. After World War II, several smaller reconstructions of the damaged and destroyed monastery were carried out.
In 1979, serious consideration began regarding the establishment of a monastery museum. After reviewing the museum exhibits and engaging in multiple discussions and agreements with the friars, as well as with regional and municipal authorities, it was decided to convert the entire existing western wing of the monastery into a museum, while a new eastern wing suitable for residential use would be constructed. The architectural plans for the new residential spaces, museum, gallery, and library were created by architect Zlatko Ugljen and his associate Rodoljub Mikulić. In 1984 and 1985, all work on the new eastern wing was completed, and the friars moved in. This allowed for the reconstruction of the western wing into a museum and gallery. Work began in 1987 with the repair of the outer walls and roof modifications. The project for the reconstruction of the interior spaces into museum and gallery areas was initially based on Ugljen’s plans, but was later replaced by the project of Split architect Zoran Jeramaz. Due to the war, work that began in 1991 was soon interrupted and resumed in 1994. The Museum and Gallery of Gabrijel Jurkić were officially opened on October 18, 1995, and work continued on arranging the museum spaces. It soon became evident that the entire southern wing of the monastery was inadequate for displaying the most important existing exhibits. Therefore, following Jeramaz’s design, construction of a new museum building on the site of former monastery economic buildings began in 1999. The work on equipping the new spaces with necessary lighting and furniture is still ongoing. In 2007, a professional restoration was completed on the old friary house where the friars had lived, taught, and built the monastery. It was named “Old School,” retaining its original form, and is part of the newly constructed museum spaces. From 1995 to 1997, complete reconstruction of the southern and southeastern wings of the monastery was carried out according to Jeramaz’s plans, with a new floor for the novitiate added above them.
The monastery church of St. Peter and St. Paul, measuring 28 x 46 meters, was built and equipped over a period of more than 50 years. From 1954 to 1859, it was covered with a temporary roof, and divine services began the following year. The main wooden altar, crafted by Jozo Raka with a painting of St. Peter and St. Paul in oil on canvas, and the stone mensa created by Jozo Baja, were installed in 1885. Six side wooden altars were made in 1886 by Franjo Lach from Ljubljana. The southern bell tower was constructed in 1886 and 1887. In 1889, organs were acquired from Ivan and Ignac Zupan; the church was consecrated in 1891. From 1900 to 1906, work was carried out according to the project of Josip Vancaš. A second (northern) bell tower and a concrete vault were built, giving the church a dynamic interior space. Interior outfitting and decoration were carried out by the Weyss company from Vienna in 1905. In 1906, a choir was made and floor tiles were installed. That same year, the church was painted by Marko Antonini. In 1908, a new altar was commissioned from Ferdinand Prinoth from Tyrol. In the 1980s, the church was renovated externally, and since 2002, restoration work inside the church has been carried out by Professor Suzana Damijani from Zagreb.
