The Franciscan Museum and Gallery Gorica - Livno (FMGG) was officially established on October 2, 1955, with the goal of systematically collecting, professionally preserving, scientifically analysing, and displaying the museum’s holdings from the Herzegbosnian Canton and further. The FMGG as the heir to the Franciscan collection at Gorica has its roots in the 19th century and the work of the Franciscans from Livno, who visited archaeological sites collecting antiquities and invested effort in establishing a museum at the monastery. This is reflected in a document from 1896 in which they seek permission from the National Government in Sarajevo to display antique weapons in a public room at the monastery. In the ensuing decades the museum collection is augmented with numerous exhibits from every period of Livno’s past. The once humble monastery collection has grown into a modern museum; today the FMGG holds exhibits that reflect the diversity and continuity of historical events in this region: from the. Celts and the Illyrians to the Romans, and then the Croats from their arrival to modern times. The museum is still in a formative phase but has been recognised as a foundation for new research projects.

Collections:

• Archaeological collection
• Ethnographic collection
• Collection of sacral exibits
• The numismatic collection
• Philatelic collection
• Monastery library
• Painting gallery

GORICA – THE CHURCH AND MONASTERY OF ST.PETER AND PAUL

In 1852 the Franciscans received permission from the Ottoman authorities to build a monastery and church. Construction of both buildings commenced in 1854 based on plans drawn up by Franjo Moise from Split. The construction site was supervised by Ante Ciciliani from Trogir. He was succeeded in 1856 by Spiro Maric from the island of Vis. The church is a basilica with a nave consisting of three bays and a transept. In 1874 the entire roof was replaced and in 1876 Jozo Rako from Dalmatia built a wooden main altar for the church.

Near the monastery lies the cemetery with a chapel and rows of interesting gravestones. The decoration of the church interior resumed in 1885 when Franjo Lach from Ljubljana constructed five side altars. The first bell tower was built in 1887, the second in 1906. The church was completely renovated during 1905-06. The interior was designed according to the project plan of Josip Vancas. The side altars were restored by layman Franciscan brother Klarenz Hemmerlmayr from the province of Tyrol on which occasion statues for these altars and the pulpit were ordered from Tyrol.

Also in 1906 the church doors with depictions of St. Peter and Paul were built from oak-wood in a Trappist workshop in Banja Luka. The main altar was also ordered and installed in the church several years later. The main altar together with statues of the saints (Peter and Paul, Elias and George) and the reliefs (Abraham sacrificing Isaac, Melchizedek, the Last Supper) were created by Ferdinand Prinoth from St. Ulricha (in Groden, Tyrol).

The church was decorated by painter Marko Antonini in 1906. At the very entrance to the church he presents the church building in progress together with its builders, followed by other themes: the birth of Jesus Christ, the coronation of Mary (in the vault over the apse), and the inspired works of the Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and the Communion of the Apostles.
Some of his other significant themes: Jesus handing keys to St. Peter, the conversion of St. Paul, the defenders of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, the stoning of St. Stephen. Over the last few years the restoration of these paintings in the presbytery has been conducted by Suzana Damiani, a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb. The church also has three paintings by Gabrijel Jurkic on display. During 1980-81 the church was renovated: the roof was covered in copper and the outer walls were re-grouted and fortified.