St. Saviour Church, Dubrovnik

St. Saviour Church
(Croatian: Crkva sv. Spasa)


Location Dubrovnik
Country Croatia
Denomination Roman Catholic
History
Dedication Jesus Christ
Architecture
Status votive church
Functional status Active
Designated 1520
Architect(s) Petar Andrijich
Architectural type one-nave
Style Renaissance with some Gothic features
Completed 1528

St. Saviour Church (Croatian: Crkva sv. Spasa) is a small votive church located in the old town of Dubrovnik. It is dedicated to Jesus Christ.

History and Architecture

The church was built by the order of the local Senate in gratitude that the town had been spared from destruction in the earthquake that hit Dubrovnik in that time. The monumental inscription above the main entrance on the front facade testifies to this. Construction started in 1520 on project by the architect Petar Andrijich of Korchula. The building was completed in 1528.[1]

The church has one nave with a Gothic-cross-ribbed vault. The lateral windows are also Gothic with the typical pointed arches. Nevertheless, the main facade with the Renaissance elements on the portal and the three-leaf semicircular top as well as the semicircular apse reveal a recognizable Renaissance style.

In 1667 Dubrovnik was overtaken again by a strong earthquake.[1] This time there was considerable collapse throughout the town. Happily, the church of the Saviour withstood the disaster so it can be seen today in its original form as a fine example of the town's harmonious Renaissance architecture.

References

  1. ^ a b Antun Travirka; Dubrovnik - history, culture, art heritage, 1998