The Brotherhood of St. John the Baptist – Kapari

The brotherhood was founded in 1323 and has been woven into the society of Vrbnik for centuries.

The first mention of them dates back to 1323. The name "kapari" comes from the hood, or "kapuč," which is the part that ends the white tunic with a red cross on the chest.

The Brotherhood of St. John, as the kapari are also called, initially took care of the church of the same name and had a significant charitable and social role. Alongside their brotherhood house on the Placa, they operated a hospice, known as a "spital," for the elderly and the poor near St. John's Church, which is mentioned as early as 1487.

Today, the obligations of the kapari are mostly related to prayer and the farewell of the deceased. On such occasions, the kapari, who have about thirty members, sing the old Croatian church chant "Pojubica." They also sing "Pojubica" and "Božji plač" during the Good Friday procession.