LESINA (Croatian Hvar), DIOCESE of. — Diocese of Dalmatia, extending over the territory of three of the largest islands in the Adriatic: L., Brazza (Croatian Brač), Lissa (Croatian Vis).
It is first mentioned in the bull of Pope Anastasius IV (1154) as the fourth of the suffragans of the newly established metropolitan see of Zara (“Farensis episcopatus”). Since its territory, together with that of the islands of Curzola (Korčula), Lagosta (Lastovo), Meleda (Mijet), and their hinterland, the principality of Narenta, passed under Venetian rule in 1144, and, on the other hand, the prelates of Zara had borne the title of archbishops since 1134, some believe that the diocese of L. was created precisely by them, for the whole of the aforementioned territory, before 1150. Others, however, hold that its creation was due to the metropolitan of Spalato, whose territory it had formerly formed part of. Indeed, a dispute soon arose between the two aforementioned metropolitans; in 1181 it was settled by a papal legate, Tebaldo, who assigned the diocese to the metropolitan of Spalato.
Its territory, reduced in the 14th century by the creation of the dioceses of Makarska and Curzola, was also subject to divisions; but from 1420 to 1797 it remained continuously and undiminished under Venice. In 1571 the island of L. itself, and especially its namesake capital, the bishop’s residence, was sacked by the Turks.
When in 1828 Leo XII abolished the archdiocese of Spalato and placed it, together with other suffragans, under that of Zara, L. likewise shared its fortunes, until in 1935 it was called to form part of the metropolitan province of Spalato, which was to be created.
At present the diocese of L. is politically included in the Croatian Federal Republic. According to the most authoritative statistics, dating from before 1939, it had approximately 45,000 inhabitants, served by 81 secular priests and 21 regular priests. It is divided into 8 deaneries, with 35 parishes and 10 chaplaincies. The cathedral of L. is a notable artistic monument in the Lombard Romanesque style and preserves works by Palma il Giovane, Domenico Uberti, and others.