If you visit the old town of Dubrovnik in Croatia, watch out for its superstar. His name is St Blaise, the protector of Dubrovnik who was a 4th Century bishop and martyr.
Story has it that in the year 971, St Blaise appeared to a priest, Stojko to warn that the Venetians were going to attack Ragusa (Dubrovnik's old name) because its position as a commercial powerhouse was a threat to Venice.
Stojko immediately alerted the city council and they fortified the city's defences. Seeing this, the Venetians decided not to attack Ragusa and the city was saved. Since that day St Blaise has become the protector of Dubrovnik and his feast day is celebrated on 3 February every year.
You can read more about St Blaise here.
Since St Blaise is the protector of Dubrovnik he's always looking over the city. That's why you can find him at the major entrances to the old town of Dubrovnik, like at the Pier Gate ...
... on other entrances entering the old town ...
... and on walls that look out to the sea ...
St Blaise is found on buildings ...
... and inside buildings ...
All of St Blaise's statue has him holding the city of Dubrovnik in the palm of his hand and close to his heart.
All superstars need to have buildings named in their honour and St Blaise has his own building too, i.e. the St Blaise Church (of course!):
St Blaise's Church is right smack in the middle of the old town. Yes, that's him on the top of the church.
Since Dubrovnik was founded in the 7th Century to the time it developed into a prosperous maritime centre and now as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Balkans, St Blaise has certainly done a great job in protecting this beautiful city.
So now you know the superstar of Dubrovnik and his name is St Blaise.
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