Sveti Rok, Croatia. Population 292, Salute!

  We got up this morning and made our way to Sveti Rok.  This town was the ‘center’ of life for my great-grandparents, namely for church and trade.  They lived on opposite sides, outside of town from each other, but most everyone here was connected as family to their church.  My great-grandfather was Stjepan Japunčić, and upon arriving solo in America, used the name Steve (Stephen) Japuntich henceforth.  About two years later, my great grandma Kata Krpan decided to come to America and marry him, right before world war 1 in October of 1913.

We drove out of town to the property where my great grandpa was born to visit the ruins of his fathers house. Steve’s two brothers built this house for their families and their father Jacob.  Not much is left after the homeland war and years of weathering. Here are photos from before and after the homeland war, and from today.



While we were there, my online friend Marko Japunčić happens to be driving out of the property and we met awkwardly using google translate, ( I don’t speak Croatian, and he speaks no English) but we agreed to get together later because he had to leave.  He is likely related, and has property behind there, which is a good indicator that he inherited land down the line from one of my ancestors.  

We visited the church graveyard and found the headstone of great-grandpa Steve’s parents, Jakob and Franjka.  I have an old photo from over 50 years ago of the headstone, but figured it was destroyed in the homeland war of 1991-1995.  Most of the headstones, as well as the church were shelled to ruins.  I am surprised that this one stands nearly unbothered, even compared to 1965. 


  This graveyard is beautiful, set against the backdrop of the Velebit peaks.

  We then ate lunch at the Sveti Rok hostel.  A good home cooked meal, homemade beef or pork stew with veggies.  

We went down the road to Vrilo Mudrosti (Source of Wisdom) to fill our water bottles from a spring that’s been used for many hundreds of years.  It is said that whoever drinks from this source will be wise into their old years. So at least we have that going for us.
After, we went into the village of Lovinac’s graveyard to investigate any possible relatives, but no clues.  We went to Marko’s house to eat, and meet his family, then back to Sveti Rok and checked into the guest house.  Our host is Ana, who’s maiden name is Krpan, and we found we are likely related too, after some discussion.

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