SAINT NICHOLAS IN THE ARTS AND TRADITIONS OF DUBROVNIK
Exploring Dubrovnik’s churches and church museums and admiring its paintings, you will most certainly come across a figure of a white-bearded saint holding a crozier (bishop’s insignia) in one hand and three gold balls in the other—that of Saint Nicholas.
It would be quite a challenging task to try to list all the Dubrovnik region churches that bear his name or, for that matter, all the paintings that depict this charismatic saint, whose presence is embedded in the arts and traditions of Dubrovnik’s region.
So, who was Saint Nicholas? —A legendary figure, beloved by adults and children alike, the patron saint of sailors and travelers, and the inspiration for another iconic character—that of Santa Claus.
The life of Saint Nicholas
For some, Saint Nicholas of Myra and the others, Saint Nicholas of Bari, little matters, as both represent the same figure—Saint Nicholas.
According to some accounts, he was born in the third century in Asia Minor. Raised as a devout Christian, Saint Nicholas distributed his parent’s wealth to the poor after their death, and thus started the legend of a saint who loved helping and giving to others.
After his pilgrimage to the Holy land, he became the bishop of Myra (situated in present Turkey). There, a cathedral in his honor was built after his death.
In 1087, Bari merchants stole his bones from Myra and brought them to their hometown. That’s how he became the patron saint of Bari, where a magnificent basilica built in his honor stands today.
Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors
A legend has it that, returning from a pilgrimage to the Holy land, his ship was caught in a big storm, threatening to sink the ship and all aboard. Saint Nicholas performed a miracle and calmed the raging seas saving everyone aboard.
Following that event, he became known as the patron saint of sailors and travelers, and his paintings and churches can be found in many maritime cities all around the world.
It is believed that during its greatest fame in the 15th and 16th centuries, Dubrovnik (then the Republic of Ragusa) counted around 5000 sailors. According to some estimates, its population at that time was up to 40000 people, meaning that one in eight inhabitants were involved in maritime affairs.
No wonder that there are so many churches and paintings dedicated to Saint Nicholas in the Dubrovnik area. In these churches sailors found comfort and a place to pray before leaving home or a place to thank after their safe return back home.
Saint Nicholas Church, Prijeko Street, Dubrovnik old town
Saint Nicholas' church in Prijeko Street of the old town of Dubrovnik
In the old town of Dubrovnik, you can find a small church of Saint Nicholas. It is situated in Prijeko Street, close to the Dominican Monastery. The original church dates from the ninth century, and it was built in the pre-Romanesque style. Its present façade was rebuilt in the late Renaissance style.
Every year on December 6, a mass is held in the church, during which apples are blessed (apples and other fruits, like oranges, used to be traditional gifts offered by Saint Nicholas to children).
Triptych, by Mihajlo Hamzic, Domincan Monastery, the old town of Dubrovnik
The most famous story from Saint Nicholas' life
In the Dubrovnik region, in the paintings, Saint Nicholas is usually depicted holding three gold balls in one of his hands. The most famous legend from his life tells about a man who lost all his fortune and couldn’t give dowries to his three daughters. When Saint Nicholas found out about this man’s plight, he decided to help him and his daughters. So, he went three nights in a row and secretly dropped bags with golden coins for the girls’ dowries through the window. Imagine the girls’ surprise when they woke up in the morning!
Yes, the story about Saint Nicholas, the bishop reputed for helping and secret gift-giving, strikingly resembles that of another famous jolly white-bearded man, dressed in a red suit, riding his flying sleigh with his reindeers, bringing joy to children all around the world. You guessed right—it’s Saint Nick or Santa Claus.
On the eve of Saint Nicholas Day, celebrated on December 6, many children in Croatia prepare their stockings or shoes and go to sleep excited about what Saint Nicholas will bring them. And he traditionally left simple things like apples, nuts, and treats.
And then again, they will find a present from baby Jesus under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. What a joy, that magic Christmas time.
