crkvica svetog Roka

Tucked away in Dubrovnik’s city walls, between Garište street and Zlatarićeva street, sits the crkvica svetog Roka. This small church, dedicated to Saint Roch, holds a wealth of stories within its ancient stones. The crkvica svetog Roka isn’t just a place of worship. It’s a time capsule, reflecting the ebb and flow of Dubrovnik’s history. Originally built alongside the house of the Brotherhood of Saint Roch, the church even had a direct entrance from the brotherhood’s house. Over the centuries, the crkvica svetog Roka has served many purposes. It was once a place where the deceased were laid before burial. Later, it became a storage space for the Austro-Hungarian army. It has hosted religious education classes, masses for the Italian community, and even concerts by Ferdo and Maria Grazio. A Latin inscription etched on the church’s wall reads, “Peace be with you, remember that you will die, you who play with the ball.” This poignant reminder of mortality speaks to the vibrant life that has always existed in this part of the city. Children played here for centuries. The area, known as Izaroka, was once teeming with children and residents sitting on their doorsteps, engaged in conversation. People gathered on the steps of both the crkvica svetog Roka and the nearby Domino Church. Workshops of Dubrovnik’s artisans lined the streets. Life moved at a slower pace. Today, the scene is drastically different. The inscription on the crkvica svetog Roka serves as a stark contrast to the endless stream of tourists that now fill the street. Colorful tables, foreign to the city’s aesthetic, line the narrow passage. The vibrant life of Izaroka is a distant memory. The crkvica svetog Roka, despite the surrounding bustle, feels strangely empty. If these walls could talk, they would surely speak of a longing for the old days, when life in Izaroka truly thrived, intertwined with the crkvica svetog Roka.