Dubrovnik Cathedral

Dubrovnik Cathedral, which is officially known as the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is one in a long line of cathedrals built on the current site since the seventh century. It is the seat of the Diocese of Dubrovnik.

History of Dubrovnik Cathedral

The cathedral was built on the site of several formal cathedrals, including 7th, 10th, and 11th century buildings, and their 12th century successor in a Romanesque style.

The current Baroque-style Dubrovnik Cathedral was completed in 1713, with the previous one  – which was a luxurious domed basilica decorated with many statues – having been destroyed in an earthquake in 1667.

There is a legend attached to Dubrovnik Cathedral. It is said that Richard the Lionheart was shipwrecked in Dubrovnik in 1192. As a votive for his survival, he contributed funds towards building the cathedral.

The current cathedral has been damaged multiple times since it was built: firstly, during the 1979 Montenegro earthquake, and then during the Siege of Dubrovnik in 1991.

Dubrovnik Cathedral Today

Today, visitors and locals enjoy the Roman Baroque style cathedral as both an attraction and a place of worship. The portal is flanked by four Corinthian columns. A large Baroque window with a balustrade with statues of saints also decorates the cathedral, while a polyptych by Titian portraying the Assumption of the Virgin decorates the main altar.

One of the highlights of Dubrovnik Cathedral is its treasury, which contains a large collection of 182 relics. These include relics from different regents, relics from the head, arm, and leg of Dubrovnik patron saint St Blasius, sacral dishes from the 13th to 18th centuries, and a large number of precious paintings.

The treasury also contains a number of wonderful paintings from the Romanesque-Byzantine icon of the Virgin with Child from the 13th century as well as paintings by Padovanini, Palma il Giovane, Parmigianino and P. Bordone.

While in Dubrovnik, check out our guides about the nearby Pile Gate, the Dubrovnik Homeland War Museum, Dubrovnik City Walls, and St John Fort Dubrovnik.

Getting to Dubrovnik Cathedral

From the centre of Dubrovnik, the cathedral is reachable around 30 minutes via the Ul. Andrije Hebranga and Zagrebačka Ul. roads, which take you through the centre of Dubrovnik’s historic and pretty centre. By car, it is reachable in around 10 minutes via the Zagrebačka Ul. road.