Breverls

A breverl is a small box containing holy prayers or blessings. Breverls were used as amulets, protecting the owner from various misfortunes. They could be of different shapes – rectangular, oval or round. In addition to prayers, there were often various other objects inside the breverl that served to protect its owner: various seeds or medicinal herbs used for healing, corals for protection against spells, red ribbons that repel witches and demons, or gold as pure divine light. Once closed, a breverl could not be opened again, and its contents were not known to the owner. Compared to other objects of devotion, breverls were the rarest. Seven pieces were found in the ossuary in Mošćenice, and only one in the cemetery in the Old Town of Rijeka. We have not opened them because it would cause them damage, so we do not know what kind of prayers they hold. Since there are usually depictions typical of particular pilgrimage sites on them, it is assumed that they were bought at those sites. Unlike devotional medals, they were not mass-produced, and each breverl is considered unique.

Skip to content