Vekenega facts for kids
Vekenega was a special Croatian nun who lived a long time ago, from the city of Zadar. She was part of an important noble family called the Madi family. Vekenega became the leader, or abbess, of the Benedictine monastery of St. Maria in Zadar starting in 1072. She is also famous for ordering a beautiful, decorated book called an evangelistary in 1096.
Vekenega's Life Story
Her Family and Early Life
Vekenega was the daughter of a woman named Čika. Čika was also very important and came from the noble Madi family. Čika actually started the St. Mary's monastery in Zadar.
When King Petar Krešimir IV decided to protect the monastery, he even called Čika his sister. This shows how respected her family was.
Becoming a Nun
Sadly, Vekenega's husband, Dobroslav, passed away. After this sad event, Vekenega decided to become a nun. In 1072, she joined the same monastery that her mother, Čika, had founded.
Her Special Book
Vekenega is also known for a very special book she asked to be made. This book was a richly decorated evangelistary. An evangelistary is a book that contains parts of the Gospels from the Bible. She ordered this beautiful book in 1096. It was created in the scriptorium, which was a special writing room, at the monastery of St. Krševan.
