The Racic mausoleum designed by celebrated Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic is the final resting place of the prominent Cavtat shipping family and is located in the graveyard of St. Rocco in Cavtat. The mausoleum itself was erected in 1921, but the Chapel of St. Rocco dates from the 15th century.
The structure of the mausoleum is architecturally notable itself because the entire structure was built without a single piece of wood, or any other material except bronze, which was used for the door, bell and angel.
A bronze bell in the cupola bears the inscription ‘Know the mystery of love and though shalt solve the mystery of death and believe that life is eternal’. The interior of the mausoleum contains reliefs depicting the stages of life.
Mestrovic’s design won him the Grand Prix at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris in 1925.
The mausoleum is full of symbolism relating to birth, life and death and offers breathtaking views over the Adriatic making it an excellent pit stop on a visit to Cavtat.
