Glagolitic Alphabet

Originally written and published 12 November 2012

During a recent trip to Zagreb, I was fascinated to learn that a distinctive and decorative alphabet called Glagoljica (Glagolitic) exists that was used for centuries in Croatia before Roman lettering became dominant.

Small souvenir

Whilst strolling through the city, by chance I wandered into a souvenir shop that had many items on display adorned with various unusual letter shapes.  I thought they were ancient runes but the shop owner (who luckily spoke good English) showed me a poster she had for sale entitled “Glagoljica” and explained that they were letters from an old Croatian alphabet.

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After spending some time discussing the script, she suggested I visit the Academy of Arts & Sciences nearby where I would find the most historically significant Glagolitic artefact : the Baščanska Ploča (Baska Tablet), a white limestone tablet dating from the early 12th century inscribed with this unique lettering.

It was easy enough to locate, housed in the Academy’s atrium on public view behind glass. It is a large and heavy stone, measuring roughly 2m x 1m and weighing in around 800kg, and was discovered in 1851 in the floor of Sv Lucija church near Baska on the island of Krk.

Baska Tablet behind glass

Section of Baska Tablet

After the tablet was found, it then took almost 25 years before a full translation was completed but, unfortunately, the subject matter was not very exciting – it commemorates a gift of land by King Zvonimir to the church and gives details of attendees at the presentation ceremony. However, that is not so important as its real value lay in its use as a resource for studying both the development of Glagolitic script as well as the Croatian language.

Lettering in Zagreb Cathedral

Baska Tablet on 100 kuna banknote

Of course, once I was acquainted with the style of lettering it began appearing everywhere in various forms and incorporated into many designs – logos, shopfronts, books, memorials.


The longest piece I found ran down an entire wall of Zagreb Cathedral.


And I saw it most often on the 100 kuna banknote.


There’s so much more information to discover about Glagolitic lettering and the Baska Tablet but I’ll have to leave that until my next trip to Croatia. In the meantime perhaps I can put my calligraphic skills to work and have a go at the lettering!

Baska detail on 100 kuna banknote

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The Croatian Academy of Art and Science website is here.
My heartfelt thanks to the lady who owns Gallery Gea, Radeceva 35, Zagreb.

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