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The Church of St Blaise (Crkva Sv Vlaho) is Dubrovnik's most beloved church, partly because St Blaise is the patron saint of Dubrovnik. Most festivals in Dubrovnik begin or end or have something to do with this church, conveniently located at the eastern end of Stradun. A recent restoration left the facade gleaming and the stairs are a perfect resting place for bedraggled tourists. Stylistically, the church is stately but welcoming with an ornamentation that pleases the eye without overwhelming its surroundings. The Venetian architect Marino Gropelli oversaw the church's construction which was finished in 1715. It was built on the site of an earlier church that was destroyed in a fire several years earlier. The only surviving remnant of that church was a 15th-century statue of St Blaise who holds a model of medieval Dubrovnik in his hand.The statue is now incorporated into the main altar. Also saved were two stone figures of saints made by Nikola Lazanic from Brac at the end of the 16th century. Other notable features of the interior include a 17th-century quintych of The Martyrdom of St Blaise by local artist Petar Matejevic and stained glass windows by Ivo Dulcic, Dubrovnik's most celebrated contemporary artist. Related Pages
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