Perhaps the stones beneath our feet remember. They remember a time when this spot, now occupied by the Račić family house, held the Crkva svetog Antuna opata. This wasn’t just any church. It was the heart of the Antunini brotherhood.
Let’s journey back in time. Imagine Dubrovnik’s esteemed citizens, members of the Antunini brotherhood, gathering right here. They weren’t nobles by birth. Yet their wealth, integrity, and service to Dubrovnik earned them a unique status. The Antunini brotherhood rivaled the power of the aristocracy. They valued the city’s prosperity.
The Crkva svetog Antuna opata first appears in records from 1363. Danko, son of Milca Domagne, bequeathed funds for a painting to adorn this very church. The Council of the Petitioners recognized the brotherhood’s influence. In 1388, they granted permission to build a porch and hermitage.
Over time, the Antunini joined forces with other brotherhoods. They were brotherhoods of Svetog Petra, Svetog Duha, and Svetog Spasitelja. Their headquarters remained at the Crkva svetog Antuna opata. Their influence grew. They earned patronage over the Church of Svetog Petra Velikog. They gained the right to have masses read in Svetog Spasitelja.
The Antunini were not just about prestige. They operated a municipal hospital. They ran an old age home. Their communal fund aided members in need. The Republic acknowledged their contributions. The Crkva svetog Antuna Opata became a gathering place. Nobles would sit on stone benches outside the church after a stroll. It happened as recorded in 1552 when those stone benches were repaired at the Republic’s expense.
The French occupation brought an end to the Republic. It also dissolved the Antunini brotherhood and seized their assets. The hospital and old age home fell under control of the “blago djelo”. The Crkva svetog Antuna opata suffered the same fate. The church building faced neglect and ultimate degradation.
“Opera Pia” handed the church over to Baltazar Sivrić. He converted it into a horse stable. After further neglect, it was sold to Alagi. He demolished it completely. The graves were desecrated. Even the remains of Ivan Rabljanin, a master cannon and bell founder, were disturbed.
Today, only a baroque statue of Svetog Antuna remains. It was moved to Svetog Vlaha. A 19th-century sketch is all that’s left. It depicts the church before its desecration. Once a sacred place, it was used to house horses.
Now, look at the Račić family house. Its eastern wall marks the boundary. It has windows facing “Međed”. This house erased the church. It erased its stone benches and sacred interior. It built over graves. It scattered the community. This spot had gathered Dubrovnik’s elite for over five centuries. The house lessened the impact of the Austrian gymnasium. But its location blocked the view of the city from the sea.
So, while the Crkva svetog Antuna opata no longer stands, its story echoes. It is a story of faith, community, and the ever-changing face of Dubrovnik. Remember this as you explore the city. Even in absence, history leaves its mark.