PHOTOS: Thousands in Split turn out to celebrate its saint

by croatiaweek
May 7, 2025
in Entertainment

(Photo: Grad Split)

The Croatian city of Split marked the feast of its patron saint, St. Domnius (Sveti Duje), with a celebration attended by several thousand people on Wednesday.

The centuries-old tradition, held every 7th of May, coincides with the Day of the City of Split, known as Sudamja, and remains one of the most important religious and cultural events in the Dalmatian calendar.

The celebration began with a traditional procession through the city, in which the relics of St. Domnius were carried from Split Cathedral to a specially prepared altar on the Riva promenade.

This sacred procession brought together a wide cross-section of society, from church representatives and religious brotherhoods to city officials, government ministers, military and police representatives, veterans’ associations, and academic institutions.

Among the dignitaries present were the Mayor of Split, Ivica Puljak, accompanied by his wife Marijana, deputy mayors Bojan Ivošević and Antonio Kuzmanić, City Council President Željko Domazet, Ministers Nina Obuljen Koržinek and Tonči Glavina, Split-Dalmatia County Prefect Blaženko Boban, members of parliament, and other local and national leaders.

(Photo: Grad Split)

The central event was the solemn Eucharistic celebration on the Riva, led by Hvar Bishop Monsignor Ranko Vidović.

Addressing the large gathering of faithful, Monsignor Vidović spoke of the enduring spirit of St. Domnius — a spirit of friendship, mutual respect, love, and selflessness.

(Photo: Grad Split)

“Let us revive the spirit of St. Domnius — the spirit of friendship, of mutual appreciation, of love and giving, the spirit of self-sacrifice. Believe me, without the spirit of St. Domnius, there would be no Split, and no Hajduk,” he told the crowd during his homily, referencing both the city and its beloved football club.