LESINA (Croatian Hvar), DIOCESE OF. - A Dalmatian diocese that extends over the territory of three of the largest islands in the Adriatic: Lesina (Hvar), Brazza (Brač), and Lissa (Vis).
It is first mentioned in a bull of Pope Anastasius IV (1154) as the fourth suffragan see of the newly elevated metropolitan see of Zara (Farensis episcopatus). Since its territory, together with that of the islands of Curzola (Korčula), Lagosta (Lastovo), Meleda (Mljet), and their hinterland, the Narentine principality, passed under Venetian rule in 1144, and since the prelates of Zara had borne the title of archbishops since 1134, some believe that the diocese of Lesina was established by them for the entire aforementioned territory before 1150. Others, however, hold that its creation should be attributed to the metropolitan of Spalato, under whose jurisdiction it previously belonged. Indeed, a dispute soon arose between the two metropolitan sees, which was settled in 1181 by a papal legate, Theobald, who assigned the diocese to the metropolitan of Spalato.
Its territory was reduced in the 14th century with the creation of the dioceses of Makarska and Curzola, and it was also subject to further divisions; but from 1420 to 1797, without interruption or diminution, it remained under Venetian rule. In 1571, the very island of Lesina, and especially its namesake capital, the bishop’s seat, was sacked by the Turks.
When, in 1828, Leo XII suppressed the archdiocese of Spalato and subjected it, along with other suffragans, to that of Zara, Lesina shared in this fate until, in 1935, it was assigned to the newly established metropolitan see of Spalato.
At present, the diocese of Lesina lies within the political boundaries of the Federal Republic of Croatia. According to the most reliable statistics prior to 1939, it had about 45,000 inhabitants, served by 81 secular priests and 21 regular clergy. It is divided into 8 deaneries with 35 parishes and 10 chaplaincies. The cathedral of Lesina is a notable artistic monument in the Romanesque-Lombard style and preserves works by Palma the Younger, Domenico Uberti, and others.