The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary — Attraction in Dubrovnik

The Cathedral of Dubrovnik, or the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Katedrala Marijina Uznesenja, in Croatian) is the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Dubrovnik. The cathedral was built in 1672-1713, in the early Baroque style, on the ruins of an earlier Romanesque cathedral from the XII-XVII centuries and which, in turn, was built on the site of a 7th (or 8th) Byzantine church. Regarding the previous cathedral (the one from the 12th-17th centuries) it is said that it was built by Richard the Lionheart, King of England, as a thank for escaping alive from the shipwreck on Lokrum Island (near Dubrovnik) in 1192 on his return from the Third Crusade. The present cathedral was built as an imperative necessity after the total destruction of the previous one, as well as of the fortress (thousands of dead), following the terrible earthquake of 1667. The city authorities (the amazing Republic of Ragusa, 1358-1808) appealed to Andrea Buffalini, the most famous Italian architect of the time. The master builders, however, brought quite big changes to the initial project, especially at the top where a less ordinary terrace was made, with the balustrade adorned with statues of the saints (Sicilian model, the last builder, Tommaso Napoli being Sicilian), as well as modifications that have brought more light inside. In short, the Cathedral consists in one nave and two-aisle longitudinal church with side chapels, transept and dome over the crossing. The sanctuary of the church houses the main altar behind which is the famous polyptych (painting on several panels ± articulated) "The Assumption of the Virgin Mary" by Titian (about 1550). Side of the sanctuary are the Sacristy and the Treasure, the latter, by wealth and the value of the 182 pieces dating from the 11th - 18th centuries, bearing the Cathedral's fame (entry fee for Treasury and no photo). The treasure contains relics (relics of St. Blaise (Sveti Vlaho, guardian of the town), pieces from the True Cross, etc.), works of art and church jewels and vessel. The beautiful altars made in Baroque style and placed along the sides adorn the cathedral, among them the ones at the ends of the transept (St. Bernard's altar and especially St. John...

Also known as the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, Dubrovnik Cathedral is a popular Dubrovnik attraction that dates back to the 6th or 7th century, according to varying accounts. An imposing structure that is impressive from both historical and architectural standpoints, the cathedral was originally designed in the magnificently ornate Byzantine style. Sometime between the 12th and 14th centuries, it was rebuilt in the Romanesque style, only to be later rebuilt in the Baroque style by architects Paolo Andreotti and Andrea Buffalini, after large sections were destroyed in the earthquake of 1667. The Dubrovnik Cathedral offers numerous points of interest for casual visitors as well as those involved in academic and historical study and research. The transept crossing and the huge Baroque dome overhead are especially noteworthy for their historical and architectural significance, both of which still bear the signs of earlier reconstruction. The main cathedral features three high naves that culminate in three interior apses, all of which serve as interesting focal points above the main altar. Here you will see Titian’s magnificent depiction of The Assumption, which dates back to 1552. The side altars of the cathedral also feature paintings by numerous Italian and Dalmatian artists dating back to 16th to 18th centuries. The Cathedral Treasury houses a world-famous collection of reliquaries consisting of more than 200 pieces. Considered one of the richest treasuries in the Adriatic Coast, the collection is highlighted by the gold-plated skull, arm, and leg of St. Blaise, all of which are noteworthy historical and religious artifacts by themselves. Other must-see items in the treasury are the Fragment of the True Cross, a copy of Raphael’s Virgin of the Chair, and the many gold implements from the cathedral’s...

The cathedral was built on the site of several former cathedrals, including 7th, 10th and 11th century buildings, and their 12th century successor in the Romanesque style. The money to build the basilica was partially contributed by the English king Richard the Lion Heart, as a votive for having survived a shipwreck near the island of Lokrum in 1192 on his return from the Third Crusade.2]

This building was largely destroyed in the earthquake of 1667.[3 The Senate of Dubrovnik appealed to the Italian architect Andrea Bufalini of Urbino, who sent a model for the new church in Baroque style with a nave, two aisles and a cupola. Several other Italian architects including Francesco Cortese (present from 1669 until his death in 1670), Paolo Andreotti of Genoa (present 1671-1674), Pier Antonio Bazzi of Genoa (present 1677-78), and friar Tommaso Napoli of Palermo (present 1689 - 1700), all working with local and imported stonemasons, completed the Cathedral over the next three decades. Napoli made several crucial changes to the original plans including the use of a cross vault and the opening of large thermal windows at the upper level. This gives the whole interior a lighter and brighter feel. The style of the cathedral is in keeping with the esthetics of Roman Baroque architecture as practiced by Bernini, Carlo Fontana and their 17th century contemporaries.[5] The construction began in 1673.[2] The building was finished in 1713 by the Dubrovnik architect Ilija Katičić.[2]

The building was damaged by the 1979 Montenegro earthquake, requiring several years...