Valamar Blog

Orlando’s pole is placed in the centre of geometry of the city of Dubrovnik, and the fact that for four centuries there fluttered a state flag of the free Republic of Dubrovnik makes it the most important symbol of Dubrovnik’s independence and freedom. The flag of the free Republic of Dubrovnik was white with letters S and B surrounding the image of St. Blaise.

That kind of flag is first mentioned in the Statute of 1272. It remained such until the breakdown of the Republic on 29 January 1814, an Austrian general Milutinovic ordered to the last duke Sabo corcic to take it down form Orlando, which the latter refused by saying: “I cannot, it was put up by the people”. In the 18th century there was, apart from this one, a flag with a shield and text LIBERTAS in three rows.

That flag was carried by Dubrovnik ships spread besides the main flag with the image of St. Blaise. Today, it represents the symbol of a well known manifestation and definitely the biggest cultural project in the history of Dubrovnik. That is, of course the Dubrovnik Summer Festival (Dubrovacke ljetne igre), a music and theatre festival having been held since 1950. LIBERTAS continues to live in that way, through an idea of human and artistic freedom spreading each summer through streets and shops of Dubrovnik.

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