Even today, Dubrovnik proudly recounts how that city saved the life of Richard the Lionheart. Yes! Richard the Lionheart! To the famous King of England. On his return from The third Crusades in 1192., he was caught in a terrible storm near the Croatian coast, just like the famous Odysseus a hundred years ago. In the wild sea, neither sword nor glory nor wealth helps, but prayer has helped.
Richard the Lionheart promised God that if he reached the mainland and were saved, he would build a magnificent church there.
The ground he first saw and set foot on was the island of Lokrum opposite Dubrovnik. A vow is a vow, but Dubrovnik’s people have been well-known negotiators since ancient times, and perhaps since then, they have seen the famous, wealthy, and successful as equals. They convinced Rikard the Lionheart that Dubrovnik’s citizens would build a church on Lokrum, and his donation would be well received by the city of Dubrovnik, and that it was the best place for the magnificent church – the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary.
