The church was built to replace a Romanesque church that burned down in 1706.
The silver-gilt statue of St. Blaise inside the church is the only relic from the previous 14th-century building to survive the 1706 fire.
The statue of St. Blaise on the roof of the church depicts the saint holding a scale model of the city, which reveals the historical layout of Dubrovnik's pre-earthquake fortifications.
Marino Gropelli, the architect, was tasked with designing the church in the Venetian Baroque style, marking a significant shift from the city's traditional Gothic-Renaissance architecture.
The church serves as the epicenter for the annual Feast of St. Blaise, a UNESCO-protected Intangible Cultural Heritage event.
Saint Blaise’s Church is a Venetian Baroque sanctuary dedicated to Dubrovnik’s patron saint, situated at the heart of the Old Town. The current building was reconstructed by Venetian architect Marino Gropelli between 1706 and 1715 after the 1667 earthquake destroyed its Romanesque predecessor. It sits at the intersection of the Luža square and the main Stradun thoroughfare. The interior features a central silver statue of Saint Blaise, created in the 15th century, which miraculously survived the 1706 fire. This statue represents the saint holding a model of the city of Dubrovnik as it appeared before the great earthquake. The facade is characterized by a prominent staircase, a wide portico, and a large central dome. Its exterior is adorned with intricate stone carvings and the coat of arms of the Dubrovnik Republic.
From the steps of the Sponza Palace across the square to capture the church facade and the dome together.
Visit during the annual Feast of St. Blaise on February 3rd to witness traditional processions and performances.
Take time to examine the exterior stone carvings on the portico, which are exemplary of the late Baroque style in Dalmatia.
Combine your visit with a walk through the adjacent Luža square to see the Orlando Column.
Attempting to enter during ongoing mass or liturgical services; blocking the main entrance steps which are a popular public seating area.
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is expected; silence should be maintained as it is an active place of worship.
