Greetings!

I’m a law student from Croatia and I’m doing an essay about freemasonry.
At first I thought it would be just a work about some conspiracy theories, but after doing some research I found out that I was quite wrong.
Now I’m just fascinated by all these great ideals of the masonic brotherhood. All the open-mindedness, philanthropy and stimulation of self improvement are just admirable.
I also found out that in the past there were quite many lodges in Croatia, but today there are just a few remaining and there’s not much information about them.

However, I came across a nice building In Osijek, the town I live in, and it reminded me of a free-mason lodge. I got some photos, and as you see, there’s a sphinx engraved on the frontage of the building, and two other sphinx-statues in front of the building. There are no inscriptions or signboards saying it is a free-mason lodge, but I’d like your opinion.
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/1598/asdasjm.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/4253/asdsr.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Anyway, I’d really like to find out more about freemasonry, or even meet a member instead of just reading about it.
So, if anyone can give me some more information, I would appreciate it. :)

That’s a really cool looking building.  I agree it doesn’t appear to be Masonic in nature, but I’d definitely like to know why it is decorated like that.  Very neat!

Brother Mike as sent you in the right direction with that website, and we can also suggest other reading about Freemasonry in general.  If you still have questions, feel free to let us know.

I’ve already visited the website a week ago. I’ve also sent an e-mail, and got an answer just this morning.

The building was a Masonic lodge, it was called “Vigilantia” and has been active until 1941.

Unfortunately, during the WW2, the lodge has been closed and all the symbols have been removed from the building.

However, the inventory of the lodge has been moved to the basement of a local museum, stored for over 60 years.
There was an exhibit of the inventory a couple of years ago, and all I can do now is hope there will be another one.

Thank you both for directions and quick reply, really appreciate it!

Wow, that is really neat!

Broter Mike, while it is true that the Sphinx is not a Masonic symbol in and of itself, I have heard of Egyptian themes being used in Masonic architecture.  Here in Massachusetts, we have a lodge building in Quincy that has strong Egyptian features, and in the Grand Lodge building itself, we have a lodge room called Egyptian hall.

I wanted to add something about the sphinx in Freemasonry.  This location is not the only one that implements a sphinx figure.

Check out this photo:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3I0gXJZ6XmU/S_hKJcdKHEI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/PMt51Av4FDI/s1600/slc+Masonic+Temple.jpg

It is from the steps of the Salt Lake Masonic Temple.

Just an FYI.

Maybe the world’s best example of Masonic decoration in the Egyptian style is the Egyptian Hall in the Grand Lodge of PA temple in Philadelphia. Pictures don’t do it justice. I’ve been there and seen it more than once. But you can get an idea at http://www.pagrandlodge.org/tour/egypte.html. While you’re on the site, check out the rest of the building; it’s just as spectacular.