On the slopes of the village of Limljani, near Bar, stands a small single-nave church dedicated to Saint Thomas, belonging to the Klisić brotherhood. According to locals, this sacred site is more than 12 centuries old. Though modest in size, the church has withstood incredible natural disasters over the centuries and still stands today as a symbol of faith, endurance, and the deep roots of tradition.
THE LANDSLIDE OF 1896
Originally, the church stood 150 meters uphill, to the left of the road. But in February 1896, after forty days of relentless rain, the ground in the center of the village shifted. A massive landslide destroyed all the homes of the Klisić brotherhood—except the church. As the story goes, the entire plateau with the Church of Saint Thomas slid downhill, intact. During the movement, the church rotated 45 degrees and now faces northwest–southeast. It remains tilted at a 17-degree angle—a sight that continues to amaze visitors.
THE EARTHQUAKE OF 1979
Limljani suffered greatly in the devastating 1979 earthquake. Nearly all old houses were destroyed, and lives were lost. Yet, the Church of Saint Thomas stood strong. It was damaged, but not destroyed. The Klisić brotherhood, deeply connected to their holy site, restored the church’s interior, preserving it once more as a symbol of survival.
FAMILY SAINT’S DAY
The Klisić family celebrates St. John’s Day, October 6, as their patron saint’s day—a date marking the family’s conversion from paganism to Christianity. On this day, all homes are open to guests, with tables full of traditional food and drink. This hospitality, faith, and respect for ancestors are the spirit that keeps this place alive, just like the church that has endured for centuries.
