In its location in the Roman period was town Varvaria, while during the medieval times it was an important and rich settlement with a stronghold and Franciscan monastery, a capital city of power of the Šubić family.

[3][4] Up until the Roman conquest, the Liburnians had inhabited the region and built the settlement at the hill of Bribir (Croatian: Bribirska glavica), which is now an archaeological site.

In 1347, King Louis I strengthened his position in Dalmatia by taking the strategically important fortress of Ostrovica, near Bribir, from the Šubić family and in return gave to them estates in the vicinity of Zrin.

[3][4] The Šubić's built a large palace on the hill of Bribir, an ideal place to control the surrounding territory, overseeing all roads and approaches from the sea (from Zadar to Šibenik) to the hinterland (from Velebit to Svilaja near Knin).

[7][8] By its dimension and richness it exceeded the needs of the local population, but it was an example of power, social and economic prestige of both the family and Bribir, making it a cultural and religious centre in the hinterland.

[7] In the 15th century were still hired the best craftsmen to work in the church, like Petar Radmilov from Šibenik and Vidul Ivanov and his sons Nikola, Juraj, Jakov and Fran Vidulić from Zadar.

[4][7] In the church probably were placed also two memorial plaques, one dedicated to Paul I, while the second to king Demetrius Zvonimir of Croatia (who was buried there according to the legend of his death[9]).