Croatia, St. Euphemia's Church in Rovinj, 29th October 2025

The story of St. Euphemia's Church in Rovinj is tied to the legend of its patron saint, a 4th-century martyr whose sarcophagus miraculously washed ashore and was moved by a young boy with his calves. 

The legend of the sarcophagus

According to the legend, St. Euphemia was a Christian virgin from Chalcedon (near modern-day Istanbul) who was martyred for her faith in 304 AD. Her remains were kept in a sarcophagus in Constantinople until the 9th century, when Christians, fearing persecution from iconoclasts, had her relics cast into the sea. 

The legend holds that the marble sarcophagus was found floating off the coast of Rovinj on July 13, 800. The people of the town tried to move the heavy tomb but failed, even with horses and oxen. 

Finally, a young boy with two small calves, inspired by a divine message from the saint, was able to effortlessly pull the sarcophagus up the hill to a church on the site. The townspeople viewed this as a miracle and proclaimed St. Euphemia their patron saint. 

The original church on the hill was dedicated to St. George, but after the arrival of the relics, it was rededicated to St. Euphemia. The present Baroque church, built between 1725 and 1736, stands in its place. 

The church and its bell tower, which is modeled after St. Mark's Campanile in Venice, have become an iconic landmark of Rovinj. A copper statue of St. Euphemia stands at the top of the tower, rotating with the wind. 

Today, the 6th-century Roman sarcophagus containing the relics of St. Euphemia is displayed behind an altar inside the church.