Crkve svetoga Đurđa i Gospe od Milosrđa: asimilacija klasičnoga jezika u Dubrovniku [St. George and Our Lady of Mercy: Assimilation of the Classical Language in Dubrovniku]

The study focuses on the previously unexplored church of St. George in Pile, positioning it as an early example of Renaissance classicism in Dubrovnik. An analysis of decisions made by the authorities of the Republic of Dubrovnik, along with the construction cost list from the State Archives in Dubrovnik, reveals that the church was constructed by the workshop of Petar Nosan and stonemason Andrija Pomenić between 1590 and 1592. The role of official Andrija Bundić in selecting architectural forms is also discussed. The church prominently features specific classical elements drawn from Sebastian Serlio’s treatise, particularly the Corinthian portal and Ionic pilaster. These forms would later gain popularity in construction. Notably, the church of Our Lady of Mercy in Gospino polje, Lapad, faithfully follows the model of St. George, even though no construction information for the former has been found. Additionally, the church of St. Roch, built in the mid-16th century, stands as Dubrovnik’s first example of using architectural forms from Serlio’s treatises. Its facade composition principles would influence architectural design for the next seventy years. Specific forms observed in St. George and Our Lady of Mercy (such as capitals and portals) are also present in the garden and chapel of St. Jerome in the palace of Junije Gradić in 1590. This discovery discusses the early reception of Serlio’s treatises in Dubrovnik and their adaptation within the local architectural tradition.