Places near me Random place
All Croatia Dubrovnik The Relic of St. Silvan

The Relic of St. Silvan

A full figure 4th century incorruptible saint lies in a glass coffin in Croatia.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

michelle profile photo
Added By
Michelle Enemark
  elcinco / Atlas Obscura User
  jeffinthe9 / Atlas Obscura User
Church of Saint Blaise (Crkva sv. Vlaha)   Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
  Incorruptible Bodies Website
Quick snap in a no-camera zone   Michelle Enemark
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

At the altar of the Church of Saint Blaise lies the waxy body of a 4th century martyr.

His head is thrown back on the pillow to reveal a bloody gash on his neck, indicating the means of his martyrdom. Not much is known about St. Silvan or his history, but his impressive incorruptible body has earned him a special display.

His face does appear to be created out of wax nor the gash to be painted, and it is claimed that he has indeed never decayed in the more than 1500 years after his death. 

Places

Discover your next amazing Atlas Place.

Get more unusual and extraordinary places each week with the Atlas Obscura Places newsletter.

Your newsletter subscriptions with us are subject to Atlas Obscura's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Related Tags

Relics Natural Wonders Nature

Community Contributors

michelle profile photo

Added By

michelle

Jaszmina Szendrey profile photo Tawsam profile photo ryanwabraham profile photo elcinco profile photo

Edited By

Jaszmina Szendrey, Tawsam, ryanwabraham, elcinco...

Published

April 29, 2013

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos

Nearby Places

Explore the Destination Guide

Related Places

  • St. Anthony's Chapel

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    St. Anthony's Chapel

    This church in Pittsburgh is home to the largest collection of religious relics in North America.

  • Circular Pool

    North Walpole, Australia

    Circular Pool

    A forest pool so dark and frothy it's earned the nickname the natural cappuccino.

  • Burabay

    Burabay, Kazakhstan

    Burabay

    A pocket of pine forests, healing lakes, and legendary rocks rising from Kazakhstan’s endless steppe.

  • Kanas or Ka Nasi Lake

    Altay Prefecture, China

    Kanas Lake

    A lake that borders Kazakhstan and Russia allegedly harbors the giant "Terror Trout" or "Chinese Nessie."

  • Omarama Clay Cliffs

    Quailburn, New Zealand

    Omarama Clay Cliffs

    Towering earthen formations that rise straight out of the ground in New Zealand .

  • Sulphur Springs

    Sulphur Springs, New Mexico

    Sulphur Springs

    It’s hard to believe this hostile landscape was once a health resort.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member