Niccolai Alfonso: Memorie storiche di S. Biagio vescovo e martire protettore della Repubblica di Ragusa distese da Alfonso Niccolai

Alfonso Niccolai: Memorie storiche di S. Biagio vescovo e martire protettore della Repubblica di Ragusa distese da Alfonso Niccolai

The book is complete - it has graphics of St. Vlaho with the city of Dubrovnik.

According to legend, St. Vlaho saved Dubrovnik from the attack of the Venetian invaders in 971 years ago. In the dark night of February 3rd, Venetian warships dropped their anchors around the ancient city. It was a dark winter night. The Venetians freely entered the Old Town under the guise of a request to obtain the provisions they needed to continue their journey to the East. But the real plan was much more sinister, they planned to attack Dubrovnik and annex it to their empire. Spies disguised as sailors watched the Dubrovnik defense very carefully, counting the guards from the city walls and making precise notes on the number of cannons and the number of archers.

But what the Venetians didn't know was that someone was watching them too! Darkness descended on the city on February 3, 971, and the local priest walked the stone streets of the Old Town to the parish church of St. Stephen. When he arrived he was very surprised to find the door open! He entered with trepidation, and in front of him stood an old man dressed as a bishop with a bishop's miter on his head and a bishop's staff in his hand. "Tell the city fathers that the Venetians are planning to attack you," whispered the old man from the darkness. "Please tell me who you are, introduce yourself," the priest asked him, when the old man replied that his name was Vlaho.

Understanding the seriousness of the situation and taking into account the dramatic message of St. Vlaho, the priest immediately hurried to inform the city fathers. At the same time, the number of guards at the city gates doubled, the city gates were closed, and security measures were put in place to defend the city at all costs. The Venetians soon became aware of the fact that the city had suddenly armed itself for an attack, that their plan had been exposed and that the element of surprise had been irretrievably lost. As quickly as they arrived, they boarded the ships and retreated into the dark night and disappeared. Dubrovnik was saved, the City was safe!

The very next year, Dubrovnik solemnly commemorated the day when their patron saint ensured the freedom of the City. And in 1026, the remains (relics) of St. Blaise were finally returned to Dubrovnik, his final resting place, a timeless city that owes its freedom to him.