High above the shimmering Adriatic Sea stands St Ursula Church. Its location is breathtaking. It offers unparalleled views of Dubrovnik and Lokrum Island. This small chapel has a rich history. It was built in 1348. A noble Dubrovnikan Tolija Silvestro ordered its construction. The name honours Saint Ursula. She was a legendary Romano-British Christian saint. She died in 383 AD.
Legend says Princess Ursula travelled from southwest England to meet her future husband. She and 11000 virgin handmaidens were attacked and killed in Cologne by Huns. Ursula became the patron saint of virgins. This legend connects to the chapel’s darker history.
The chapel sits on an old trading route. This path is still visible today. It’s also linked to a tragic past. Young women threw themselves from the cliffs. Some were mistreated or pregnant after being raped. These claims are unfounded but they add to the legend. This unfortunate history is possibly linked to St Ursula the saint of virgins.
The church endured a turbulent history. In 1806 it was set on fire. Napoleon’s troops were advancing on Boka Kotorska. The ensuing battles destroyed the church. It remained buried for 200 years. Andro Vidak and volunteers uncovered and restored it. Today Park Orsula is open to the public. The name Ursula evolved into Orsula over the centuries. The chapel might be incomplete. The view however remains just as spectacular. It’s a stunning and poignant reminder of Dubrovnik’s complex past.