The Maritime World of Saint Blaise: Ragusan Identity in Dubrovnik and around the World

Abstract In this study, we will examine how the cult of Saint Blaise shaped Dubrovnik's political, cultural, and maritime identity. Saint Blaise, Dubrovnik's patron saint since the twelfth century, became central to the city's resilience and independence. His veneration, originating through maritime routes, influenced the construction of baroque architecture, exemplified by the Saint Blaise Church in Dubrovnik, which reflects Venetian artistic influences. We will also emphasize the global reach of Saint Blaise's cult through Dubrovnik's maritime networks. Dubrovnik merchants and sailors established numerous churches and chapels dedicated to Saint Blaise beyond their republic, spanning Europe, Asia, and possibly even the Americas. These sites, adorned with Dubrovnik's unique iconography of the saint holding a model of the city, served as spiritual and cultural anchors for Dubrovnik communities abroad, reinforcing their identity in foreign lands. By focusing on the Baroque church of Saint Blaise in Dubrovnik and the religious structures dedicated to the saint abroad, we will reveal the importance of Dubrovnik's religious devotion and maritime influence, and explore how these sacred spaces reflect Dubrovnik's role in the broader cultural and religious landscapes of the Mediterranean and beyond.