Feast of St Blaise

Since the year 972, on the 3rd of February, the Day of the Festivity of St. Blaise, we open wide the door to our City, while the flight of white doves marks the opening of the Festivity and reminds us of the value of freedom – the greatest treasure of Dubrovnik Republic.  It is rare to find a city whose identity is so intrinsically connected with its patron saint, as it is the case with Dubrovnik. The City and the Saint are one. The celebration of Dubrovnik’s patron is special and typically Dubrovnik. It begins on Our Lady of Candles or Candlemas on the 2nd of February when white doves, a symbol of freedom and peace, are released in front of the saint’s church and by the raising of Blaise’s banner in the central place of the Old City – upon Orlando’s Column. On this occasion, an old saying is often recited: ˝Candlemas in, winter out, followed by St. Blaise, claiming that it’s not true˝.

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