Church of St. Blaise

About

Church of St. Blaise is Dubrovnik’s most beloved Baroque landmark, dedicated to the city’s patron saint whose protection, according to tradition, saved Dubrovnik from a surprise Venetian attack in the 10th century. Built in 1715 by the Venetian architect Marino Gropelli, the church replaced an earlier Romanesque structure destroyed in the 1667 earthquake. Its ornate façade, lively curves, and sculpted details make it one of the finest Baroque buildings on the Adriatic. Inside, the atmosphere is intimate and richly symbolic. The main altar holds the church’s greatest treasure: a 15th‑century silver statue of St. Blaise, depicted holding a model of Dubrovnik in his hands. This statue is carried through the streets every February during the Feast of St. Blaise, one of the city’s most important traditions. The interior also features marble columns, gilded accents, and a series of altars dedicated to local confraternities. Look closely at the stained‑glass windows, which blend modern artistry with centuries‑old devotion, and at the carved wooden choir stalls that reflect Dubrovnik’s long craftsmanship heritage. Though small, the church feels like the spiritual heart of the Old Town, a place where civic identity and faith have intertwined for generations.

Dubrovnik Croatia

Location

The Church of St. Blaise, known locally as Crkva sv. Vlaha, is one of the most beloved and iconic landmarks in Dubrovnik. It stands on Luža Square, at the eastern end of the Stradun, the Old Town's famous limestone main street, where it meets the street leading to the Rector's Palace. The church is easy to reach on foot: a ten-minute walk along the Stradun from Pile Gate brings you directly to it, while from Ploče Gate it is only a few minutes' stroll west. As the Old Town is a pedestrian zone, vehicles must stop at the gates. The church is dedicated to St. Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik and the former protector of the independent Republic of Ragusa. The church is surrounded by many attractions. On Luža Square itself stand the Sponza Palace, the City Bell Tower, Orlando's Column, and Onofrio's Small Fountain. Just steps away are the Rector's Palace, the Dubrovnik Cathedral with its Treasury, and lively Gundulić Square with its morning market. The Stradun stretches west to the Franciscan Monastery and Large Onofrio's Fountain, while the entrance to the city walls and the Old Port lie nearby.