Holy Mass in English in Dubrovnik

If you’re a practicing Catholic or simply interested in experiencing the local religious culture during your visit to Dubrovnik, attending a Holy Mass in English can be a rewarding and enriching activity. Since Croatia is a predominantly Catholic country, with approximately 90% of the population identifying as Roman Catholics, Dubrovnik is home to mostly churches that follow the Roman Catholic faith.

In this article, we will provide you with all the necessary information for attending Holy Mass in English in Dubrovnik. This includes details about the church offering the service in English and other sacral objects available in Dubrovnik to ensure a fulfilling visit.

Where can you attend Holy Mass in English in Dubrovnik?

There is one church in Dubrovnik where you can attend Holy Mass in English. It is called the Jesuit church of St. Ignatius of Loyola, or simply Church of St Ignatius, and is conveniently situated in the Old Town of Dubrovnik.

The Holy Mass in English is served at the Church of St Ignatius every Sunday at 11 AM from the beginning of April to the end of October. Services in Croatian are held at the church at 8AM and 6PM on Sundays and at 6PM during the rest of the week. Other churches in Dubrovnik hold Holy Mass only in Croatian and, on special occasions, in Latin.

Church of St Ignatius in Dubrovnik

Church of St Ignatius was established as part of the Jesuit monastery at the turn of the 17th to the 18th century. The monastery serves as the seat of the Dubrovnik Jesuits, who first appeared in Dubrovnik during the lifetime of St Ignatius Loyola in the 16th century. The official website of Dubrovnik Jesuits can be consulted for all the updates, contact information and a gallery of photographs of the church.

Church is open for visits, so you are welcome to come in at the time of your convenience and pray in silence or admire the astonishing interior of the church. Visitors are advised to dress appropriately and follow the etiquette and rules of the church to ensure a respectful and meaningful experience.

There is no admission fee in place, no waiting lines, and no reservations required to enter the church. However, during the high season you can expect the Jesuit stairs leading to the church to be quite crowded as this is one of the most prominent sites for taking photographs in Dubrovnik.

What is Church of St Ignatius famous for?

Church of St Ignatius in Dubrovnik is a Baroque style church dedicated to the founder of the Jesuit Order, Ignatius of Loyola. Constructed between 1699 and 1725, this church stands out for its magnificent Baroque design and historical significance. It was inspired by the Church of St Ignatius in Rome.

The church features exquisite frescoes by Gaetano Garcia depicting the life of St Ignatius. In 1885, an artificial grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes was constructed within the church, which is one of the oldest such grottos in Europe. The grotto was painted by the Italian Jesuit and painter Antonio Moscheni.

The church is renowned for its grand Baroque staircase called Jesuit stairs, designed by Pietro Passalacqua. These stairs are modeled after the famous Spanish Steps in Rome and lead to a square where the church is located. The church, along with the adjacent former Jesuit college, Collegium Ragusinum, now serves as the Diocesan Classical high school.

How to reach the Church of St Ignatius?

Church offers a convenient and central location for tourists willing to attend a Holy Mass in English. It is located in the heart of the Old Town of Dubrovnik, at the address Poljana Ruđera Boškovića 7.

It is a prominent building in the area, and you can easily recognize it by its Baroque architecture. To reach the church, you need to climb the Jesuit stairs situated behind the Church of St Blais if coming from the main, Stradun street.

If you’re entering the Old Town of Dubrovnik through the Ploče Gate, you will need approximately 10 minutes to reach the church. For detailed information, you can use Google Maps directions from Ploče Gate to the Church of St Ignatius.

It will take you approximately the same time to walk to the church if you’re entering the Old Town of Dubrovnik from the other side, through the Pile gate. Detailed information can be obtained from Google Maps directions from Pile Gate to the Church of St Ignatius.

Is Church of St Ignatius accessible to people with mobility limitations?

Since the church is located at the top of a steep staircase, this could pose a challenge for some individuals with mobility limitations. In addition, you should take into account that there is no wheelchair-accessible car park, nor wheelchair-accessible entrance available for the visit to the church.

Jesuit stairs – Game of Thrones filming location

Jesuit stairs leading from Gundulić Square to Church of St Ignatius were used as the stage for the infamous “walk of atonement” performed by Cersei Lannister in the final episode (“Mother’s Mercy”) of the fifth season of Game of Thrones. This location was chosen for one of the most memorable scenes in the series, where Cersei is forced to walk naked through the streets of King’s Landing as a sign of penance. This Game of Thrones filming location was also used in many market scenes in King’s Landing throughout the show.

The “walk of shame” scene was particularly challenging to film, as it required the closure of numerous coffee bars and restaurants in the street for an entire day. The production team had to pay a substantial amount of money to the owners for the inconvenience, making it one of the most expensive scenes filmed in Dubrovnik.

The Jesuit stairs are now a popular tourist attraction for Game of Thrones fans, who can visit the location and imagine the dramatic scene that took place there.

Churches and sacral objects in Dubrovnik

There is a number of other churches and sacral objects in Dubrovnik that you might consider visiting in addition to the Church of St Ignatius. The most prominent of them include:

Saint Blaise’s Church: Dubrovnik’s most belowed church built in the 18th century in honor of the city’s patron saint Saint Blaise (in Croatian: Sveti Vlaho), with a statue of the saint outside the church, believed to protect the city from harm
Saint Saviour’s Church: Gothic architectural marvel from the first half of the 16th century, playing a significant role in Dubrovnik’s religious life
Franciscan Monastery & Museum: 14th-century complex with a rich history, featuring a Gothic-style portal, a Baroque-style church with a marble pulpit and altars, a Renaissance-style upper cloister, a Romanesque-Gothic style lower cloister, a library with over 20,000 books and 1200 valuable old manuscripts, and the oldest still-functioning pharmacy in Europe
Church of the Holy Annunciation: Serbian Orthodox Church showcases Byzantine-style architecture, and has a valuable collection of icons, some of which date back to the 15th and 16th centuries
Assumption Cathedral: Dubrovnik Cathedral and Treasury attracts attention with its stunning Baroque facade and impressive treasury with religious relics
Dominican Monastery and Museum: Valuable complex featuring the church of St Dominic, a bell tower, a cloister, and three monastery wings, showcasing elements of Romanesque, Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance styles.

Schedule of Holy Masses in Dubrovnik Roman catholic churches can be found on the Dubrovnik diocese website. The site provides detailed information on mass times during both winter and summer seasons. Information is available only in Croatian, however we recommend using a translation option in your browser to obtain the necessary data.

In addition to Christian sacral objects, Dubrovnik is also a home to the Dubrovnik Synagogue, the oldest Sephardi Synagogue in the world and the second oldest Synagogue in Europe that is still in use today. Visitors can explore its fascinating history and architecture, which dates back to the 15th century. The synagogue also houses a small museum that showcases Jewish artifacts, such as Torah scrolls, ceremonial objects, and historical documents.

Unique experience of attending Holy Mass in English in Dubrovnik

Whether you’re looking to fulfill your religious obligations or you’re simply curious about the local culture, attending Holy Mass in English in Dubrovnik can be a meaningful way to connect with the city’s rich religious heritage. You can also opt for attending one of many services that are performed in Croatian or simply visit these sacral objects and use them for a moment of solace and prayer.

The Church of St Ignatius offers a stunning venue for the Mass, blending history, culture, and spirituality in a welcoming and inclusive space. By attending Holy Mass in this valuable Dubrovnik church, visitors can connect with their faith, experience the beauty of the church’s architecture, and become part of a vibrant and diverse community.

Photo: Unsplash