Mausoleum of the Racic Family

The Mausoleum of the Račić Family is a striking landmark in Cavtat, Croatia, perched at the highest point of the town’s cemetery on the Rat Peninsula. Designed by renowned Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović and completed in 1922, the mausoleum serves as both a work of art and a place of remembrance. Commissioned by Marija Račić in memory of her husband Ivo and their children, who died during the Spanish Flu pandemic, the mausoleum stands on the site of the former Saint Rocco Chapel and an even older medieval church.

Visitors reach the mausoleum by climbing a long set of stairs from Cavtat’s center, rewarded with panoramic views over the sea and the distant city of Dubrovnik. The structure itself is built from elegant white stone and features an octagonal layout with a chapel shaped like a Greek cross. Meštrović’s detailed sculptures and reliefs adorn the exterior and interior, depicting religious figures and family portraits, adding a deeply personal and spiritual dimension to the site.

The mausoleum is open daily from May to October, with visiting hours from 10 AM to noon and 4 PM to 8 PM. Admission is 20 Croatian kuna. The peaceful setting, combined with the artistry of Meštrović and the site’s historical layers, make the Račić Mausoleum a memorable stop for those exploring Cavtat and the Dubrovnik region.