During the Middle Ages, cities and states often placed themselves under the protection of a patron saint. Churches were built in their honour, their images appeared on public buildings and state symbols, and communities turned to them during war, disease and other periods of crisis.
Before Saint Blaise became Dubrovnik’s principal protector, Saints Sergius and Bacchus were among the city’s early patron saints. Mount Srđ above Dubrovnik preserves the local name of Saint Sergius. A church dedicated to these saints once stood on the hill, while the present Fort Imperial was built much later, during the Napoleonic period in the early 19th century. The hill is today easily reached by the Dubrovnik Cable Car.
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The legend of Saint Blaise and the Venetian attack
According to Dubrovnik tradition, Saint Blaise became the city’s heavenly protector after warning its inhabitants of a planned Venetian attack, traditionally dated to 972.
The story tells that Venetian ships appeared near Lokrum Island, claiming that they were travelling east and needed to replenish food and fresh water. The city authorities allowed them to approach, unaware that the Venetians were allegedly preparing a surprise attack.
One night, the priest Stojko of the Church of St Stephen in Pustjerna is said to have entered the church and encountered an elderly bishop surrounded by a heavenly army.
The bishop identified himself as Blaise, the martyr and bishop of Sebaste, a city in Asia Minor associated with modern-day Sivas in Turkey. According to the legend, he told Stojko that the Venetians intended to attack Dubrovnik and urged him to warn the city authorities.
The next morning, the warning was passed to Dubrovnik’s leaders. The gates were closed, the walls were prepared for defence and the city’s guards were alerted. Realising that the element of surprise had been lost, the Venetians abandoned their plan.
From then on, Dubrovnik tradition regarded Saint Blaise as the city’s principal patron and protector.
Who was Saint Blaise?
Saint Blaise, known in Croatian as Sveti Vlaho, was traditionally a Christian bishop and martyr of Sebaste in Armenia Minor. Christian tradition associates him especially with protection from illnesses of the throat.
This connection is still reflected in the annual Dubrovnik celebrations, when the traditional blessing of throats forms part of the religious observances surrounding his feast day.
Saint Blaise as the symbol of Dubrovnik
Over the centuries, Saint Blaise became much more than a religious patron. He was closely associated with the identity, independence and civic traditions of the Republic of Dubrovnik.
His image appeared on state seals, coins, flags, ships and public buildings. He is usually shown dressed as a bishop, wearing a mitre and carrying a crozier. In many Dubrovnik representations he also holds a model of the city in one hand, symbolically protecting it.
Visitors can still spot images and statues of Saint Blaise throughout the Old City, particularly on gates, fortifications, churches and civic buildings.
Rather than relying on an exact count of surviving statues, it is better to think of Saint Blaise as a recurring visual symbol woven throughout Dubrovnik’s historic architecture.
Find out more about the history of Dubrovnik.
The Church of Saint Blaise
The Church of Saint Blaise stands at Luža Square near the eastern end of Stradun and remains one of the symbolic centres of Dubrovnik’s Old City.
The present church is a later Baroque building rather than the original medieval church traditionally associated with the early cult of the saint. Today it plays a central role in the annual Festa and remains one of the most important religious landmarks in Dubrovnik.
The Festivity of Saint Blaise
The most important annual celebration in Dubrovnik is the Festa svetoga Vlaha, the Festivity of Saint Blaise. Its central feast day is 3 February, which is also celebrated as Dubrovnik City Day.
The tradition is centuries old and remains one of the most important expressions of Dubrovnik’s identity. In 2009, the Festivity of Saint Blaise was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
UNESCO records the tradition in forms dating back at least to the late 12th century, although Dubrovnik’s local legend connects the city’s devotion to Saint Blaise with the much earlier events traditionally dated to 972.
What happens during the Festa?
The celebration begins before the main feast day and includes religious, civic and traditional events throughout Dubrovnik.
- 2 February: the Festa is formally opened.
- Church bells: bells throughout the city announce the celebration.
- White doves: traditionally released as symbols of peace.
- Blessing of throats: connected with Saint Blaise’s traditional role as protector against throat illnesses.
- 3 February procession: the central religious procession moves through the historic centre.
- Parish banners: communities from Dubrovnik and the surrounding region bring their traditional banners to the city.
- Traditional dress: many participants arrive in historic regional costumes.
- Trombunjeri: Dubrovnik’s traditional ceremonial gunmen take part in the festivities.
The waving of the banners
One of the most recognizable elements of the Festa is the traditional ceremonial waving of parish banners. Banner bearers from local communities gather in Dubrovnik and perform the ritual as part of the celebrations honouring the city’s patron saint.
The banners, processions, church bells, traditional dress and participation of communities from across the wider Dubrovnik region are an important reason UNESCO recognizes the Festa as a living example of intangible cultural heritage rather than simply a historical commemoration.
Saint Blaise in Dubrovnik today
The tradition remains very much alive. Dubrovnik officially celebrated its 1054th Festa of Saint Blaise in February 2026, with religious ceremonies, processions and a broader city cultural programme surrounding the main feast.
The exact programme changes each year, but the central date remains 3 February. Visitors in Dubrovnik at this time should expect the Old City to be busy, particularly around Luža Square, Stradun and the procession route.
Saint Blaise timeline
| Date / period | Significance |
|---|---|
| 10th-century tradition | Legend of Saint Blaise warning Dubrovnik of a Venetian attack |
| Middle Ages | Saint Blaise becomes the principal patron and civic symbol of Dubrovnik |
| Republic era | His image appears on coins, seals, flags, ships and public buildings |
| 3 February annually | Main feast day of Saint Blaise and Dubrovnik City Day |
| 2009 | Festivity of Saint Blaise inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity |
| 2026 | Dubrovnik celebrates the 1054th Festa of Saint Blaise |
How to recognize Saint Blaise around Dubrovnik
While exploring Dubrovnik, look for a bishop figure with a mitre, crozier and often a small model of the walled city in his hand. These representations of Saint Blaise appear throughout the historic centre and make his presence unusually visible even outside the February celebrations.
His image is a reminder that in Dubrovnik, Saint Blaise has long represented both religious protection and the civic identity of the city itself.
FAQ - Saint Blaise and Dubrovnik
Who is the patron saint of Dubrovnik?
Saint Blaise, or Sveti Vlaho, is the principal patron saint and traditional protector of Dubrovnik.
When is Saint Blaise Day in Dubrovnik?
The main feast day is 3 February, although Festa events begin before the feast and traditionally continue afterwards.
Why is Saint Blaise the protector of Dubrovnik?
According to Dubrovnik tradition, Saint Blaise appeared to a priest named Stojko and warned him that Venetian forces were preparing a surprise attack on the city. The authorities prepared the defences and the attack was abandoned.
Is the Festivity of Saint Blaise UNESCO-listed?
Yes. The Festivity of Saint Blaise was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.
Why is Saint Blaise often shown holding Dubrovnik?
He is frequently depicted carrying a model of the walled city to symbolize his role as Dubrovnik’s protector.
What is the throat blessing?
Saint Blaise is traditionally associated with protection from illnesses of the throat, and a special blessing of throats forms part of religious observances around his feast day.
Can visitors attend the Festa?
Yes. Visitors can watch the procession and public traditions, but the Festa remains an important religious and civic celebration for Dubrovnik residents and surrounding communities.