St Saviour Church

A plain but fascinating church, one of the few Renaissance survivors of the terrible 1667 earthquake.

TravelCurious Tip

A great place to escape the Old Town crowds.

In 1520, a large earthquake seriously damaged many of Dubrovnik’s buildings and left 20 people dead. As an offering of gratitude for sparing the city further destruction, the authorities built St. Saviour Church and dedicated it to Jesus Christ. The votive certainly seems to have been appreciated. When the much bigger 1667 struck, killing 5,000 and destroying almost every building in Dubrovnik, little St. Saviour’s held firm, and remains little unchanged today next to the Pile Gate in the Old Town.


A Blend of Styles

Passing beneath the inscription of thanks above the main entrance, you will enter a simple, single-nave congregation. The interior contains significant Gothic elements. For example, if you look up you will notice a cross-ribbed ceiling, and the windows to the sides have pointed arches that are typically Gothic. However, the dominant architectural style in St. Saviour’s is that of the Renaissance. This can be seen in the distinctive three-leaf semicircular roof, as well as in the semicircular apse in the church’s interior.


The church’s opening hours can be erratic. The best time to guarantee entry, while also gaining an authentic experience of Croatian Roman Catholicism, is during the weekly mass on Sundays.


Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Dubrovnik
Pile Gate
Located just outside the city walls, Pile Gate is the grand entrance to Dubrovnik's Old Town, complete with a drawbridge and a Renaissance arch.
Stradun
Stradun is the iconic main thoroughfare through Dubrovnik's Old Town, lined with elegant stone buildings, shops, cafés, palaces, and historic landmarks.
Onofrio's Fountain
Constructed in the 15th Century by renowned Italian architect Onofrio della Cava, Onofrio's Fountain was once a vital water source for the townspeople.
Minceta Tower
Minceta Tower is the highest point of the Dubrovnik city walls, offering incredible views of the city & was originally designed to fend off land-based attacks.
Fort Bokar
Fort Bokar is a key feature of Dubrovnik's city walls, a rounded, sea-facing bastion that appears to rise directly from the cliffs above the Adriatic Sea.
Franciscan Monastery
Dubrovnik’s Franciscan Monastery features a 14th-century cloister, a historic pharmacy from 1317, and a rich collection of manuscripts and relics.

Related Tours

The Best of Dubrovnik: Private Walking Tour including City Walls

Dubrovnik is widely known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, and anyone who walks around its beautiful and historic Old Town will soon see why. Our 3-hour private walking tour is a great way to immerse yourself in the history and culture of this majestic city, and also gives you the chance to wander its world-famous walls. All the while, you’ll be accompanied by a local expert guide who can share intriguing anecdotes and point out the best spots to take in magnificent views of the shimmering sea and terracotta rooftops.

On your private tour, you will: 

  • Explore the charming Old Town of Dubrovnik, a beautiful coastal city situated on the Adriatic;
  • Enjoy the undivided attention of your passionate local guide;
  • Learn about Dubrovnik’s rich and varied history, from its centuries-long stint as the powerful city-state of Ragusa to the terrible siege of 1991 during the Yugoslavian Civil War;
  • Wander along its quaint cobbled streets, admiring the beautiful architecture of the Old Town’s most important buildings;
  • Make your way down Stradun, the stunning main street, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere;
  • Admire the Gothic and Renaissance Churches like St. Saviour Chuch, built in the 1520s after the city survived a major earthquake;
  • Pass by the tranquil Franciscan Monastery and hear about the 14th-century pharmacy that lies within and still operates today;
  • See the lovely Church of St Blaise and the ornate Jesuit Staircase made famous by Game of Thrones;
  • Walk around the City Walls (with tickets included) and take in stunning views of the Adriatic Sea and the city below.

Step into centuries of history on this captivating 3-hour private walking tour of Dubrovnik, designed to give you both a comprehensive city orientation and the unforgettable experience of walking its iconic medieval walls. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, this journey offers a perfect mix of storytelling, architecture, and awe-inspiring views, with a flexible ending tailored to your interests. Your tour begins in the heart of the Old Town at a majestic fountain designed by a famous Italian architect. After getting acquainted with your guide, you will meander through the historic Pile area while hearing stories of how the city first took shape. You will pass the Church of St. Saviour, built in gratitude after an earthquake failed to destroy the city, and pause by the Franciscan Monastery, home to one of Europe’s oldest working pharmacies founded over 700 years ago.

As you stroll down Stradun, Dubrovnik’s dazzling main street, your guide will bring the city's layers of history to life, from its golden era as the Republic of Ragusa to its defiance during the 1991 siege. You'll slip into Prijeko Street, a quieter, charming lane lined with stone façades and family-run businesses, before arriving at Luza Square, the city’s historic heart. Here, you’ll find a cluster of architectural gems: the elegant Sponza Palace, the symbolic Orlando’s Column, the Church of St. Blaise with its lavish baroque façade, and the stately Rector’s Palace, once the seat of power for the Republic. You'll also take in the Jesuit Staircase, Dubrovnik’s mini Spanish Steps, and the neighbouring Cathedral of the Assumption, a striking Baroque structure said to have been commissioned by Richard the Lionheart himself after being shipwrecked near Dubrovnik on the way home from the Third Crusade.

With the city’s most important landmarks now under your belt, your guide will lead you to St. John’s Fort, where you’ll begin your walk along the city walls, one of the best-preserved medieval fortification systems in the world. Tickets are included, and the views are nothing short of spectacular: you’ll admire red-roofed buildings tumbling down toward the sparkling Adriatic, the curve of the Old Port below, and the rugged cliffs of Lokrum Island just offshore. During your journey, you’ll pass Saint Barbara Tower, Fort Bokar, and climb to the mighty Minčeta Tower, the highest point on the walls and a symbol of Dubrovnik’s impenetrability. Along the way, your guide will share the dramatic stories of battles, diplomacy, and the resilience that helped the city survive for centuries.

The tour ends on your terms. You have the option to complete the full circuit of the walls at your own pace or to exit halfway at Pile Gate and unwind nearby or continue exploring the Old Town at your leisure. Your guide will be happy to adapt the experience to your preferences and provide plenty of insider recommendations. As a bonus, your tickets to access the city walls are also valid for entering Fort Lovrijenac (St. Lawrence Fortress), which you are free to explore on your own. This impressive fortress just outside the city walls is known as Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar and is well worth a visit to see more of Dubrovnik’s well-preserved military architecture and stunning landscapes.

Whether it’s your first time in Dubrovnik or you’re returning to the city, this private tour offers the perfect balance of history, beauty, and flexibility, helping you capture the essence of the Pearl of the Adriatic.

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