Saint Blaise was Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia, tortured during the Emperor Diocletian, and became patron saint of Dubrovnik. According to legend, he appeared to Stojko, rector of the Cathedral , and warned him that the Venetians anchored in front of the island Lokrum with intention to attack the City. Stojko has reported the Senate about this, and the City was defended. After this event, Saint Blaise was elected patron saint of Dubrovnik.
Today's baroque Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary was built in the 18th century at the place of 12th century romanesque basilica. The romanesque basilica was completely destroyed in the great earthquake of 1667. According to historical documents, romanesque basilica was one of the most beautiful basilicas in our region, richly decorated with sculptures and a beautiful dome in the center.
According to legend, the money for the construction of the romanesque church donated the English King Richard the Lionheart. It was his devotional gift to the city of Dubrovnik, having survived a shipwreck near the island of Lokrum. This happened in 1192, on return from the Third Crusade.
The legend of the Lokrum curse has its origin in the decision of the French army generals to close the monastery in Lokrum and to expel the Benedictines. Amazed by such a decision, they went one night in the Church of St. Mary, served last Holy Mass on the island, dressed in monk's hooded raincoat on his head and, one behind the other, in a funeral march, proceeded on a tour of the island.
Lighted candles, as a sign of the curse, they turned towards the ground and wax dripped through the way they walked. They did three tours of the island all the time loudly and solemnly saying terrible, heavy curse words: Let be damned every man who gets Lokrum for his own personal enjoyment! At dawn they left the island and never again set foot on Lokrum.
Dubrovnik nobleman sent his only wickly son on the island Lopud to recovery. There he felt in love with a poor woman. To obstruct their love, father asks the Benedictines from the islet of St. Andrew to take care of his son. However, before the young man's departure from Lopud, they swore to each other to continue the relationship. When he can, he will light a fire by the shore and she will swim to him.
The girl's brothers soon heard about it and agreed to sail out on the high seas and light a fire on their boat. Their sister saw the fire and swam until she was exhausted and drown out. A storm raised during the night, the boat overturned and the brothers drown out. The dead girl's body showed up on a small island of St. Andrew. The young nobleman ordained and forever remained on the island.
At the entrance to the Old Town there is a Mascaron at the front of the Franciscan monastery. Mascaron has the shape of an owl, but is so worn out and depleted that the true character of the mask can no longer be recognized.
Legend of the Mascaron says that a young man was unable to find love, and sworn to that, if he could retain on the Mascaron so long that he can take off and again put on a shirt, he will happily fall in love. After many years Mascaron worn out and today it is called Lucky Stone. In order to fall in love happily one has to stay on it at least 5-6 seconds during which can make a wish. Try it – it’s hard!.
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