Dubrovnik Celebrates its Patron Saint for the 1,043rd Time on Tuesday

For the 1,043rd year in row the people of the southern Croatian city of Dubrovnik celebrated the city’s feast day – Sveti Vlaho – or St Blaise (Sveti Blaž) on Tuesday…

Festivities started yesterday with a Candle Mass Day and the release of white doves, the symbol of freedom and peace, in front of St Blaise’s Church and the raising of St Blaise’s flag on Orlando’s Column. Thousands then on Tuesday took part in traditional processions, flag waving, rituals, singing and performances dating back centuries. Ever since the year 972, when the feast day of St Blaise, Dubrovnik’s patron saint, was first celebrated, the day has been an extremely important one in the city’s calender. (photo / Croatia.hr)