Beginnings (Austrian Empire 1742-1795)Era of Napoleon's Illyria (1806-1813)Era of Austro-Hungarian Monarchy (1870-1919)Era of Yugoslavia Kingdom (1919-1940)Era of II. World war (1941-1945)Era of Socialist Federate Republic of Yugoslavia (1945-1991)Restitution of Free-Masonry in the Republic of Croatia (1992-1996)
Beginnings (Austrian Empire 1742-1795)
| 17.9.1742 | The first Austrian Lodge Zu den drei Kanonen (The Three principles) was founded in Vienna. |
| 4.1.1743 | A Croat Count Kazimir Draskovic (1716-1765)was admitted a Member of the Lodge. |
| 7.3.1743 | Sigismund Franjo Gundulic became Master of the Lodge Zu den drei Kanonen (The Three principles). |
| 1759 | The First Free-Masonic Lodge in Croatia, and in this part of Europe, Ratno prijateljstvo (War Friendship) was founded in Glina. Count Ivan Draskovic had the main role in this founding since he was, during Seven-year war, Prisoner of war in Augsburg, . |
| 1764 | The Lodge Ratno prijateljstvo (War Friendship) started to work at Glina under the open sky. |
| 1768 | The first known Master of the Lodge Ratno prijateljstvo (War Friendship) became Count Ivan Draskovic. He led the Lodge until 1770. Petar Karel
Ott. Noble Bátorkezs (1738.-1809.), high officer, became Master of the Lodge in 1778. The Ritual Work in the Lodge was done in French and later on in Latin. The Lodge worked until restriction of Free-Masonry in Austria in 1795. |
| 1772 | Encouraged by Count Ivan Draskovic the Lodge Savrseni savez
(Perfect Union) was founded in Varazdin. Its founders were Russian captain Brescic (the member
of Glina Lodge), doctor Jean Baptist Lalange from Varazdin, Count Stjepan Niczky and lawyer
Pavel Noble Kugler. The first Master was Count Stjepan Niczky (1747.-1777.), Grand Prefect of Krizevci District. Seventeen Free-Masons worked in a Lodge in 1773. One year later, the Lodge accepted eight more Brethren, while in period 1776./1784 twenty more Brethren were accepted. The Lodge changed its name and became the Lodge Sloboda (Freedom) in 1774. The Lodge changed its name again to Dobar savjet (Good Advice) in 1781. After the early death of Count Stjepan Niczky, Aleksander Paszthory (1749.-1785.), Chief of the State Protocol, became Master of the Lodge. The Lodge Savrseni savez (Perfect Union) in Varazdin worked in Latin and later on in German. This Lodge has not been mentioned anymore after 1785. |
| 1773 | The Lodge Razboritost (Prudence) was founded in Zagreb. Its founder was Count Ivan Draskovic with the help of Berlin Grande Lodge Zu den drei
Weltkugeln (The Three Globes). We know some Brethren from that period (1778.): Maksimilijan Colic, Nikola Dolovac, Antun Kukec, Nikola Noble Skrlec, canon and later on Bishop of Zagreb Maksimilijan Vrhovac (1752. - 1827.) - he was a member of the Lodge since 1778.,
later on Deputy Master (1784.) and then Speaker of the Lodge with secret name
"Publicola"). The Master of the Lodge was Bishop of Zagreb Josip Noble Galjuf (1732.-1786.) with secret
name "Ebiscius" in 1778. The Master of the Lodge was doctor Ignacij Noble Verbega
(?- 1795.) in 1784. The Master of the Lodge was Antun Kukec, Doctor of Philosophy and
Free-arts, in 1786. At the beginning the Lodge was working in Latin. The Lodge changed name to Mudrost (Wisdom) in 1784 and worked in German. Twenty five Brethren worked in the Lodge during 1784. The Lodge Mudrost (Wisdom) worked until 1786 when it asked for the protection of Grand Provincial Lodge of Hungary. |
| 1773 | The Free-Masonry Lodge Budnost (Vigilance) was founded in Osijek. Its founder was Count Stjepan Niczky, probably the first Master of the Lodge. Franjo Dolovac, Vice Prefect of Virovitica District became Master in 1776. Count Juraj Niczky, Stjepan’s nephew was Master in 1785. Forty Brethren worked in the Lodge during 1785. The Lodge was the first working in Latin and since 1780., when it took German name Zur Wachsamheit (Vigilance), it was working in German. The Lodge worked until 1791. |
| 1773 | The Free-Masonry Lodge was founded in Krizevci. Its founder was the Grand Prefect of Krizevci District, Count Stjepan Niczky (1747.-1777.) There exists no document about this Lodge. Not even the name of the Lodge is known. It is assumed that members were garrison officers of that time. the Lodge took part in founding of the Grand Provincial Lodge of Croatia in 1775. It is most likely that it stopped working in 1777 after the death of Count Stjepan Niczky. |
| 1775 | The Lodge Sloboda (Freedom) was founded as the second Lodge in
Varazdin. With the help of five Masters, who had worked in the first Varazdin Lodge Savrseni
savez (Perfect Union), Count Ladislav Erdödy founded the new Lodge named Kod tri zmaja
(At Three Dragons). For the purpose of this founding the help was asked from the Lodge Okrunjena nada (Crowned Hope) in Vienna, but the Warrant of Approval came in 1776, thus the Lodge started to work, under the new name Prijateljstvo (Friendship), in German. The first Master of the Lodge was Count Franjo Lovro Draskovic (1750.-1817.). More than thirty Brethren worked in the Lodge until the restriction of Free-Masonry in Austria in 1795. |
| 1775 | The Lodge Generosity was founded in Budapest. The founder was Count Ivan Draskovic and it worked within frames of his Obedience. In the period 1775./1778 more than fifty Brethren worked in the Lodge: among them few less known Free-Masons (A.A. Baric, Archbishop of Ljubljana I.M. Noble Brigido, Baron Pavao Davidovic, doctor Matija Philadelphi from Dubrovnik, Jesuit Stjepan Katona, Count Josip Klobusicky, Jesuit M.J. Kovacic, Count Pavel Szapary from Murska Sobota, novelist Stjepan Noble Vujanovski). The first Master of the Lodge was Captain Josip Jesenovski. Master’s hammer was taken over by Baron Josip Orczy (1746.-1804.) in 1778, but after only four performed works Master of the Lodge became Count Josip Haller (?-1813). |
| 22 - 24.6.1775 | The new Grand Lodge of Croatia (Latomia Libertatis sub Corona Hungariae in Provinciam redacta) was founded in the castle Brezovica near Zagreb. The Lodges in Glina, Zagreb, Varazdin and Krizevci worked under its protection. During the Convention they adopted the Constitution and common Rituals. A system of three degrees was accepted. The independent Grand Lodge of Croatia was founded, based on Old Charges, and divided into two districts: "ultra Savam" (Glina and Zagreb) or Ratni savez (War Union) and "cis Savam" (Varazdin and Krizevci) or Slobodni savez (Free-Union). The Grand Lodge was led by the Grand Master, and every district by the Deputy Grand Master (commendator). |
| 1776 | According to historical records the Lodge Taciturnity from Bratislava joined Draskovic’s Observance. Two years later it had forty-four Brethren. Master of the Lodge was Canon, later Bishop, Franjo Frh. Splény (1734.-1795.) in 1778. The Lodge was led by Emperor-king’s chamberlain Josip Frh. Splény (1744.-1831.) in 1781. Croatian Free-Masons Nikola Noble Skrlec, Lazar Noble Somsic, Antun Noble Holzmann, Josip Noble Cernel and some others worked in this Lodge. |
| 1777 | The Lodge Nepobjediva ruka vojske (Invincible Military Arm) was founded in Otocac. The members were Austro-Hungarian officers of Croatian origin who served in Gyulay regiment. The Lodge was founded by Count Ivan Draskovic. The first Master was Colonel Danijel Noble Peharnik-Hotkevic (1745.-1794.), member of the Lodge Ratno prijateljstvo (War Friendship) in Glina. Later on regiment moved from Glina to small Czech city Usti above Laba and the Lodge continued to work there in French. After the death of Count Ivan Draskovic (1787.) there were no more records about the Lodge. |
| 17.12.1777 | On its third Convention the Grand Lodge of Croatia accepted new Regulations and Rituals. The Convention was gathered by Deputy Grand Master Count Stjepan Niczky, who died during this Convention. |
| 1778 | This is the year when the Grand Lodge of Croatia was establish. Count Ivan Draskovic became Grand Master, Senior Grand Warden was Aleksandar Noble Pastori, Junior Grand
Warden was Colonel Knezevic from Glina Lodge where he was Senior Warden, Deputy Grand
Master became Count Franjo Szplény, while the Grand Secretary of the Lodge was Captain Paunsenwien
from Budim Lodge Generosity. In the following year nine Lodges were already in
Draskovic’s system: Sloboda (Freedom) (Varazdin), Mudrost (Wisdom) (Zagreb),
Ratno prijateljstvo (War Friendship)(Glina), Nepobjediva ruka vojske
(Invincible Military Arm) - Otocac, Budnost (Vigilance) (Osijek), Generosity
(Budapest), Taciturnity (Bratislava), Green Lions (Prague) and Three
White Lilies (Timisoara). The Second Lodge in Varazdin Prijateljstvo (Friendship) did not join Draskovic’s system and remained under the Grand Country Lodge in Berlin. |
| 1780 | The Lodge Hrabrost (Bravery) was founded in Karlovac. Most
probably this Lodge was also founded by Count Ivan Draskovic. Delegates of this Lodge were present on Free-Masons Convention in Vienna in 1784, since this Lodge worked for a short period under the protection of the Grand Lodge of Austria. From that year a list of ten Free-Masons from Karlovac is known. The Master of the Lodge was either Count Franjo Gyulay (1735 - ?) with a secret name "Nestor" or Vice Marshal Count Samuel Gyulay (1719.- 1802.), Chief Commander of Karlovac, at the time when Karlovac was raised up to a status of Free-King’s city. His son Ignjat Gyulay (1765 - 1813.), later on the Civil Governor of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia, was member of the Lodge At Three Eagles (1783.) in Vienna. The Lodge Hrabrost (Bravery) worked in German. After the death of Count Ivan Draskovic (1787.) there were no more records about the Lodge. |
| 28.2.1781 | Count Ivan Draskovic gathered the Convention of Free-Masons in Budapest where the founding of seven Grand Provincial Lodges was accepted. This is how Grand Provincial Lodge for Erdelj, Croatia and Dalmatia initiated with the office at Hermanstadt. Twelve lodges worked under its protection. |
| 22.4.1784 | "The First Congress of Free-Masons" was held in Vienna. Delegates founded the Grand Lodge, consisting of four Provincial Lodges only. Hungarian Provincial Lodge assembled Lodges from Kingdom of Hungary, Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia. |
| 1785 | The Lodge Honesty (Probitas) was founded in Petrovaradin. According to some saved records it worked as officer’s Lodge. It was founded by a national defense leader Count Andrej Hadik. There is no record about the members and their work. |
| 15.2.-26.5.1785 | The Convention of European Free-Masons took place in Paris lasting for few months, but on two separate meetings (the second one from 8.3 - 25.5.1787.). As delegates by Austrian, Hungarian and Croatian Lodges Dietrichstein, Esterházy, Mátolay, Pállfy, Prevôt and Szápary took part at the Convention. |
| 23.7.1794 | The Leader of Hungarian-Jacobin, and in the same time a leader of a Masonic plot, Ignjat Martinovic (1755.-1795.)was arrested. He was the founder of "Society of reformers" and "Society of Freedom and Equality". With these societies he intended to run democratic revolution and establish Federate Hungarian Republic. Some Croatian Free-Masons were indicted too. Among them was Maksimilijan Vrhovac, who at that time most probably burnt the first part of his "Diary" (Diariuma), where he took notes about his contacts with Free-Masons. |
| 4.2.1795 | Croatian Free-Mason Josip Kralj who was suspected for taking part in
Martinovic’s plot, committed suicide in a Budapest inn, thus authorities couldn't
find any Martinovic like-minded Croat. Before his death he wrote a short note explaining reasons of his act: "I lived freely, so I would rather die than spend one hour in chains." |
| 20.5.1795 | The conspirators Josip Haynoczy, Croat Ivan Lackovic, Franjo Szentmariaji, Count Szigraj and Ignjat Martinovic were executed on the field Bloody near Budapest. From reliable sources it is known that all of them were Free-Masons. |
| 6.6.1795 | At the same time Free-Masonry was restricted in Austria and Hungary by Emperor’s Patent |
Era of Napoleon's Illyria (1806-1813)
| 21.3.1806 | The Lodge Eugen Napoleon was founded in Zadar with its full French name Loge De Saint Jean de Jérusalem Franco - Dalmato sous le titre distinctif Eugene Napoleon a L’ Orients de Zara. this Lodge worked under protection of Grand Orient of Italy at Milan until 1809, and since then under the protection of the Grand Orient of France in Paris. The Regulations of the Lodge were published on 7.1.1808 with a circulation of 600 copies. Besides the three known levels they had a level of Knight of Rose Cross. The language of the Lodge was French and perhaps Italian. The Lodge worked until 1813 and had more then thirty Brethren. |
| 1806 | A Lodge of unknown name was founded in Split. The founding was approved by the Grand Orient of Italy in Milan. It is probable that Brethren from Trogir and Makarska were members of this Lodge. More than fifty Free-Masons worked in the Lodge. The Lodge worked in French until 1813. |
| 1807 | The Lodge Saint John was
founded in Kotor with a full name "Loge de St. Jean le titre destinctif des amis de
la victoir". The founders were French officer Martel and the priest Ignjat Ban from Dubrovnik. The Lodge belonged to the Grand Orient of France. Brethren worked in the home of duke Beskuci. Later on some members of the Lodge publicly denied belonging to Free-Masonry. |
| 1808 | The Lodge Illyrian star (L'Étoile
Illyrienne) was founded in Dubrovnik under protection of the Grand Orient of France.
Known Masters of the Lodge were Karlo Bajamonti, Vlaho Brnja and Vlaho Kaboga. The Lodge had more than thirty members and worked until 1813. |
| 1809 | A Lodge of unknown name was founded in Sibenik. There were objections on its irregular work so it was put under the protection of Zadar Lodge. More than twenty members worked independently in the Lodge until 1813. |
| 1809 | A Lodge of unknown name was founded in Rijeka. The Lodge worked under protection of the Grand Orient of France. Thirteen Brethren worked in the Lodge until 1813. |
| 1809 | Encouraged by Ljubljana Lodge,
the Lodge Saint John of Croatia (Loge de Saint Jean De Croatie) was founded
in Karlovac. The Master was Netherlander Ivan Viererdeels, who came from Rijeka Lodge. Thirteen Brethren worked in the Lodge until 1813. |
| 1813 | After defeat of Napoleon, discharge of Ilyrian provinces and return of Austrian Empire authority at this area all Lodges stopped their work and Austrian authority started to pursue Free-Masons. |
Era of Austro-Hungarian Monarchy (1870-1919)
| 6.3.1870 | Free-Masonic Circle was founded at Sisak. Founders were agents of Danube Steamboat Society Sigismund Feigl, Matias Laxa and Aleksandar Friedrich, all from Sisak. Before, that had all been admitted as Members to the Hungarian Lodge Homeland-Love (Vaterlandliebe, Honszeretet) in Baja. Soon they were accompanied by six tradesmen and citizens of Sisak. They worked in the home of brother Laxa. |
| 11.2.1872 | Eight Free-Masons from Sisak apply for a Warrant for forming a new Lodge. |
| 5.10.1872 | The Budapest authority approved their
application. The Lodge in Sisak started to work under the name The Neighbour's Love (Zur
Nächstenliebe). The Approval was signed by the father of dr. Adolf Mihalic. The Regulations or the Constitution was written in German and translated to Croatian. The first Master was Sigismund Feigl (until 1878.). There were nineteen Brethren working in the Lodge. |
| 22.2.1885 | The Lodge The Neighbour's Love worked for the last time under the guidance of Master Emil Milinovic. |
| 1890 | The Lodge Morning Star
(Stella Orientalis) was founded in Zemun. The first Master was Julius Stielly. Later on the Lodge moved to Pancevo. |
| 10.9.1891 | The members of the Lodge The Neighbour's Love applied for a Warrant to Stjepan Rakowsky, Grand Master of Symbolic Grand Lodge of Hungary in Budapest. |
| 6.3.1892 | Six candidates from Zagreb were admitted as a members, promoted and raised up on a level of Master in a single day in the Lodge Democracy (Democratia) in Budapest. Those were Spiro Brusina, Ivan Balesko, Robert Fischbach, Fran Folnegovic, Antun Dutkovic, Adolf Mihalic and Edmund Kolmar and warrantors were Ivan Bojnicic (had been admitted as a Member to a Hungarian Lodge 1890.) and Antun Schlesinger. |
| 14.9.1892 | The Lodge Croatian fairy, the first Lodge which worked in Croatian language, was founded in Zagreb. In the beginning it had fifteen members. The Lodge worked under the protection of Symbolic Grand Orient of Hungary. The first Master was Ivan Bojnicic, Senior Warden Antun Schlesinger, Junior Warden Ivan Balasko, Secretary Adolf Mihalic, Speaker Fran Folnegovic, Tyler Robert Fischbach and Treasurer Edmund Kolmar. |
| 19.12.1892 | The Lodge Croatian fairy had its first ritual Work. Emil Malinaric was elected as honorary Member, tradesman Ivan Laxa and landowner Makso Leitgebel were admitted as Members of the Brotherhood. "The White table" was in home of brother Fran Folnegovic. |
| 1892.-1893 | The Lodge Croatian fairy had 14 Apprentice works, 2 Fellow-craft works and one Master work and twenty-one members by the end of 1893. |
| 8.3.1893 | The authorities of Zagreb approved the Lodge Constitution, but application for registration was answered not earlier than 17.1.1896, so that the Lodge Croatian fairy worked without official registration. |
| 1.3.1894 | Due to some misunderstandings in the Lodge Croatian fairy the new Master Spiridion Brusina (initiated in 1870 in the Lodge Cleveland No. 210 in Chicago) was elected and Ivan Bojnicic stepped out from the Lodge. Bojnicic cancelled hospitality of his home to the Lodge, so the Lodge worked temporarily in the hotel "At Austrian Emperor", in the Natural Sciences Museum and in the sculptor Pierotti's home during 1895. |
| 1894 | The first book about Free-Masons in Croatian from Simon Franges: "Free-Masons or Framasons" was published and immediately followed by anti-Masonic articles. The book and Croatian Free-Masonry were attacked by Theology professor Rieger, Ph.D., Law professor Bresztyenski, Ph.D. and University professor Marchetti, Ph.D. |
| 1896 | The free-Mason Fran Folnegovic wrote the book "Open Your Eyes". |
| 1896 | Under the public opinion pressure
Spiridion Brusina had to resign his duty of the Master of the Lodge as well as his
professorship at the University and his position of the Principal of Natural Sciences Museum;
thus the new Master of the Lodge Croatian fairy became Slavoljub Buljan. This happened after the editors of the “Obzor” (Horizon) newspaper had published details and members' names of the Lodge Croatian fairy (January 11, 1896). |
| 9.3.1903 | The Lodge Sirius was founded in Rijeka. It worked under the Hungarian Obedience. The Master of the Lodge was Arthur Steinacker, Manager of Credit Bank. As the Italians were in majority, the Lodge worked in Italian. |
| 1903 | Fifteen members of the Lodge The Neighbour's Love gathered in Osijek to found a Free-Masonic Circle of their Lodge. |
| 19.4.1903 | Free-Masons from Sisak transferred the residence of the Lodge The Neighbour's Love to Zagreb. |
| 29.4.1904 | The last work of the Lodge Croatian fairy. |
| 18.11.1904 | The Lodge The Neighbour's Love started to work in Zagreb. The light was brought into the Lodge by Marcel Glaser, the representative of the Hungarian Symbolic Grand Lodge , at that time Secretary of the Lodge Humbolt in Budapest. Representatives of the Lodge Sirius from Rijeka and of the Lodge Blood-brother from Belgrade were present on that occasion. |
| 1907 | Lessing’s booklet "Discussions of Free-Masonry" with a preface of Adolf Mihalic, the contemporary leader of Croatian Free-Masonry, was published by the Lodge The Neighbour's Love in Zagreb, |
| ?.7.1910 | During the Free-Masonic anniversary of Garibaldi in Rome, Zagreb Lodge was represented by Spiridion Brusina. |
| 1910 | Seven Free-Masons founded Circle Humanitas in Opatija under the patronage of the mother Lodge of the same name in Bratislava and under the protection of the Hungarian Symbolic Grand Lodge. The Master of the Circle was dr. Fedor Geza. |
| 1911 | Adolf Mihalic under the pen-name Ivan Prigorski and with the support of the Lodge, published for Croatian general public a promotional book about Free-Masonry under the title "Leafs of Free-Masonry". |
| 2.2.1912 | A ceremonial
opening of a Lodge Temple at Mosinski street No. 22 (today Nazor’s street No.
24) took place in Zagreb in the presence of the Grand Master of the Hungarian Symbolic Grand Lodge.
Representatives of the Lodge Sirius from Rijeka, seven Hungarian Lodges, Italian
Lodge from Bari, three Lodges from Belgrade and the Lodge Triluminat 767 from Chicago were
also present. The first misunderstandings within the Lodge The Neighbour's Lovestarted that year . |
| 1912 | The Lodge Budnost (Vigilance) was founded in Osijek. The founder was Mirko Hermann. |
| 16.3.1913 | Eighteen Free-Masons in Zagreb asked for covering to found a new Lodge of South-Slavic orientation. |
| 17.3.1913 | The new Zagreb Lodge Maksimilijan Vrhovac was founded. The first Master was a teacher, pedagogue and novelist Davorin Trstenjak (1848.-1921.). His Deputy became dr. Roko Jokovic. |
| 1913 | The first issue of the Free-Masons journal "Glasnik” (Herald) was published by the Lodge The Neighbour's Love in September. |
| 13.12.1913 | Three Lodges worked at Croatia: The Neighbour's Love and Maksimilijan Vrhovac in Zagreb and Budnost (Vigilance) in Osijek, with 102 active members (72 Masters, 8 Fellows and 22 Apprentices). |
| 1.8.1914 | Due to the war, the work of the Lodge The Neighbour's Love was stopped until 18.1.1915. The Lodge Maksimilijan Vrhovac took rest until fall 1917. |
| 21.12.1916 | The Lodge The Neighbour's Love started "Educational Library". Since may 1917 books of Machiavelli, Montesquie, Rousseau, Roosewelt, Vinko Kriskovic and Natko Nodilo were published. |
| 29.8.1918 | The Lodge The Neighbour's Love changed the Regulations to establish a Grand or at least a Provincial Lodge. The Grand Master of the Hungarian Symbolic Grand Lodge approved the foundation of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Croatia. |
| 24.11.1918 | The Internal Affairs Committee of the National Council of Croatia and Slavonia approved the foundation of the Grand Lodge The Neighbour's Love. |
Era of Yugoslavia Kingdom (1919-1940)
| 11.1.1919 | The Lodge The Neighbour's Love became Mother Grand Lodge The Neighbour's Love. A lot of misunderstandings accompanied the acceptance of this decision. Among others there were misunderstandings between Slavs and non-Slavs, between brethren of Yugoslavian orientation and nationally oriented Croats as well as Jewish brethren. A part of brethren asked for leave and covering to found two new Lodges Count Ivan Draskovic and Equality. |
| 6.2.1919 | The new Lodge Count Ivan Draskovic was founded and light was brought into the Lodge by the Grand Master Adolf Mihalic on 28.2.1919. The Lodge Equality was never founded. |
| 1919 | In Belgrade, Serbian Grand Council, which used to work according to the so called Scottish Ritual - with higher degrees - suggested the foundation of the United Grand Lodge of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes "Yugoslavia" (since 192? - Grand Lodge Yugoslavia) for Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes with residence in Belgrade. As Croatian Lodges worked under protection of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Hungary according to Johannite Ritual - with only three degrees - Serbian Grand Council agreed for Serbian Lodges to accept Johannite Ritual, but for the Grand Council to continue to work according to Scottish Ritual. |
| 9.6.1919 | An emergency meeting of all
Serbian, Croatian and Slovene Lodges was held in Zagreb. This meeting announced Grand
Lodge of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes "Yugoslavia" with residence in Belgrade.
The name of this Lodge is paradoxical, since Slovenes didn't have any Lodge at that moment.
The first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge "Yugoslavia" became Gjuro
Weifert. Croatian Lodges Maksimilijan Vrhovac and Ivan Count Draskovic in Zagreb, Budnost (Vigilance) in Osijek as well as Serbian Lodges Harmony, Work and Steadiness, Blood-brother and Sumadija in Belgrade worked within this Obedience. In the foundation documents of the Grand Lodge "Yugoslavia" the existence of the Mother Grand Lodge The Neighbour's Love, under whose protection Lodge Count Ivan Draskovic had been founded, was passed over in silence. Due to the above mentioned, as well as to some deeper political reasons, Croatian Free-Masons founded new Lodge Justice. The Master of this youngest Zagreb Lodge became dr. Vladimir Katicic. |
| 12.4.1921 | The new Zagreb Lodge Justice was founded and inaugurated. The Lodge Maksimilijan Vrhovac became the Lodge to which, leaders of Yugoslavian Free-Masons at Belgrade relied upon. The Lodge itself successfully spread Free-Masonry at Dalmatia and Slovenia. |
| 7.6.1925 | The Lodge Sloboda (Freedom) was founded in Dubrovnik. It had more than thirty members. |
| 7.11.1925 | The Lodge St. John Baptist’s Day Bonfire was founded in Karlovac. |
| 16.6.1926 | The Zagreb Lodge The Neighbour's Love restarted its work. |
| 1926 | The Lodge Dawn was founded in Kotor. |
| 17.6.1926 | The Lodge Prometheus was founded in Zagreb, which did not work under the protection of the Grand Lodge "Yugoslavia". The members of this Lodge issued a declaration pointing out that there exists neither national nor Yugoslavian Free-Masonry, but Free-Masonry in general within one state. Based on strong principles this declaration was in fact criticism of the Grand Lodge Yugoslavia and its political commitment. The conflict developed, in opposition to Serbian Free-Masons, who used to direct their Work through politics, Croatian brethren found sense and value of their work in their humanistic relation towards the world. |
| 3.1.1927 | Due to all mentioned, the Grand Lodge "Yugoslavia" issued the act of suspension of the Zagreb Lodge Prometheus. Some brethren who left the Lodge Justice together with some other brethren from the Lodge Count Ivan Draskovic, founded the new Lodge Amititia which was not recognised by the Grand Lodge "Yugoslavia". |
| 29.5.1927 | The Lodges The Neighbour's Love, Prometheus and Amititia held a meeting to found and proclaim the Symbolic Grand Lodge Libertas. The Grand Master became Veljko Tomic. This three Lodges had around 80 members. It seems that Symbolic Grand Lodge Libertas was founded and recognised by the National Grand Mother Lodge in Berlin. |
| 20.11.1927 | The first Jewish Lodge Zagreb No. 1090 was founded in Zagreb under the protection of the Grand Lodge in Istanbul. Very soon it had more than fifty members. |
| 29.5.1929 | The Lodge Justice was founded in Split. It had around twenty members. |
| 8.6.1929 | The Lodge Perun was founded in Zagreb. It worked under the protection of the Grand Lodge "Yugoslavia". |
| 1929 | The Lodges Neptune and Rudjer Boskovic were founded in Zagreb. According to some estimations around sixty brethren worked in these two Lodges. |
| 1931 | Free-Masons from Zagreb helped in founding of the Free-Masonic Circle Valentin Vodnik in Ljubljana, which later on became Lodge of the same name. More than twenty Free-Masons worked in this Lodge. |
| 23.1.1932 | The Lodge Pitagora with a complete name Pitagora I.O.S.R. Le Droit Humain, was founded in Zagreb as a connection to a Lodge of the same name in Paris and as nationaly mixed Lodge. Three years later, another mixed Lodge named Humanitas was founded in Zagreb. Both Lodges worked under the protection of the Symbolic Grand Lodge Le Droit Humain in Paris. More than fifty men and women worked in these Lodges. |
| 1934 | The Jewish Lodge Menorah No. 1169 was founded in Osijek. |
| 24.6.1938 | The Grand Lodge Yugoslavia founded the Free-Masonic Circle Luc Kvarnera (The Light of Kvarner) in Susak. |
| 11.1938 | Due to the selling of the Temple at Mosinski street in Zagreb and some other reasons, Simbolicka Velika loza Libertas (Symbolic Grand Lodge Libertas) stopped its work. Referring to some sources, brethren continued to work under the open sky. |
| 19.5.1940 | The Lodge Bratstvo was founded in Zagreb. It worked under the protection of the Grand Lodge Yugoslavia. The first Master was Radoslav Horvat. |
| 1940 | Mirko Glojnaric published in Zagreb his book "Masonry in Croatia". The book included the list of all Zagreb Free-Masons, and as well few persons who had never been Free-Masons. Some of them brought charges against the author. The trial started on February 10, 1941, and ended in 1942 - the author was found not guilty. |
| 5.8.1940 | Following the law restriction, all the Lodges under the protection of the Grand Lodge Yugoslavia interrupted their work and so did Lodges in Croatia. Few days earlier all Zagreb Lodges sent their archives to Belgrade. |
Era of II. World war (1941-1945)
| 10.11.1941 | Ustasha authorities arrested in Zagreb around forty Free-Masons during the night between 10th and 11th November. The arrest was to be continued in following days but due to high excitement and revolt which arose among Zagreb intellectuals German Military command prevented further action. Few days later all the arrested were transferred to concentration camp Jasenovac and then to concentration camp Stara Gradiska. Dr. Oton Gavrancic died in concentration camp, while Free-Masons, Count Josip Bombelles and Manco Gagliardi - who were not arrested together with other Zagreb Free-Masons but later on - were brought to concentration camp and killed there. |
| 1942 | Almost all Free-Masons were released from concentration camp until the beginning of April 1942. |
Era of Socialist Federate Republic of Yugoslavia (1945-1991)
| The work of Croatian Free-Masons and Free-Masonic Lodges
after the Second World War could not be resumed, due to authorities who did not allow
Free-Masonry organisation and work. Only two brethren survived until the resume of Free-Masonry in Croatia in 1992.. |
Restitution of Free-Masonry in the Republic of Croatia (1992-1996)
| 1991 | Brother Cedo Kirchner, an Austrian who spent his childhood and first school years in Zagreb, started first contacts with few Croatian and Slovene Free-Masons, (who had became Masons abroad) on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Austria and initiated the help on the restitution of Free-Masonry in the newly established countries of Croatia and Slovenia. |
| 31.1.1992 | Heinz Scheiderbauer, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Austria ordered the founding of Deputation Lodge llyria with residence in Vienna in order to initiate, pass and raise Free-Masons in the newly established countries of Croatia and Slovenia, and in this way form a substance of future national Lodges in these countries. |
| 27.2.1992 | During the work under the open sky at Klagenfurt, Hermann Schneider, Deputy Grand Master, together with 13 Austrian brethren founded Deputation Lodge Illyria. Walter Raming became the first Master. |
| 21.3.1992 | It was in Vienna that the light was brought into the Deputation Lodge Illyria. On a separate work during the same day first 18 Candidates (13 from Croatia and 5 from Slovenia) were initiated. Brethren from Croatia would work in Graz with the help of brethren from Graz and brethren from Slovenia would work in Klagenfurt with the help of brethren from Carinthia. |
| 31.1.1992 | The Mourning work of the Deputation Lodge Illyria devoted to all known and unknown Croatian Free-Masons who died between 1940 and 1992, was held in Zagreb. |
| 1993 | Cedo Kirchner was elected the Master of the Deputation Lodge Illyria in June. |
| 27.10.1993 | Cedo Kirchner, initiator and the spiritual father of the Deputation Lodge Illyria suddenly died. Walter Raming became again the Master of the Lodge and Branimir Horvat was elected Deputy Master for Croatia with all Master’s authorities. |
| 1994 | Due to some organisational and technical reasons the Deputation Lodge Dialogus, with residence in Klagenfurt, was founded in order to take over all responsibilities of the Deputation Lodge Illyria for Slovenia in January. All the Slovene brethren passed over into this new Lodge - since then the task of the Deputation Lodge Illyria became limited to Free-Masonry in Croatia. |
| 21.04.1994 | According to a special approval of the Grand Master, the works of the Deputation Lodge Illyria have been held in Zagreb since September, in various accommodations which have been arranged, for that purpose, into Temples. |
| 1992-1996 | The number of Croatian Free-Masons was gradually raising - up to 70, where thirty-two were raised on the Master's level. Croatian brethren have visited Austrian Lodges, have taken part in the works of the Lodge Quattuor coronati in Vienna, have visited Lodges in Italy, Czech Republic and France, have joined various celebrations, and in that way informed others about the restitution of Free-Masonry in Croatia. |
| 1995 | Thirty brethren asked for leave at the Deputation Lodge Illyria to found three Croatian Lodges in Zagreb, in October. In the first half of November, Lodges Hrvatska vila (Croatian fairy), Grof Ivan Draskovic (Count Ivan Draskovic) and Tri svjetla (Three Lights) held founding works in Zagreb under the open sky. |
| 11.9.1996 | Branimir Horvat died unexpectedly. He was a Croatian Free-Mason Representative of a DL Illyria's Master and the first predestined Grand Master of the emerging Grand Lodge of Croatia. |
| 14.9.1996 | By
a decree of Main Federal Assembly of the Grand Lodge of Austria dated June 1st, 1996, the
light was brought into the three new founded Croatian Lodges during a ceremonial work in Croatia. Orient Zagreb was revived after more than 56 years, enabling the foundation of the first Croatian independent Grand Lodge. |
| 08.11.1997 | At the request of the three Croatian Lodges Hrvatska vila (Croatian fairy), Grof Ivan Draskovic (Count Ivan Draskovic) and Tri svjetla (Three Lights) the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Austria brought Light into the Grand Lodge of Croatia during a ceremonial work in Croatia. |
| 08.12.1999 | The United Grand Lodge of England approved the recognition of the Grand Lodge of Croatia. By summer of 2001, 30 more Grand Lodges from five continents did the same. |