The Church of st. Hillarus

Nice old church with a graveyard.. unfortunately wasn’t open, so we couldn’t get in... Some information: The parish Church of St. Hilarion (sv. Ilar) “sancti Hylacrioni” is located in the oldest part of Mlini, whose name has its roots from the Greek word ilaros, as well as the Latin word hilaris which means happy, joyful, vivacious. It is mentioned in the Dubrovnik Statute in 1272. This old church with its graveyard “ which is remembered in memories is older than the documents about it. The old local chronicles mention it in 1164”. During the century, it was destroyed and constantly renovated. It was badly damaged, especially in the earthquake of 1667, and renovated in 1683 in a Baroque style. It was damaged again in the earthquakes of 1823 and 1824. According to ancient legend, St. Hilary, a hermit and saint of Palestinian origins, killed a dragon on the coast of Mlini and freed this area from paganism. This is why St. Hilarion (sv. Ilar) christened it Illyria in the 4th century. According to historical sources the people of Hilarion were shepherds and were scared of snakes. The church was built in honour of St. Hilarion (sv. Ilar), who became the patron saint of Mlini, and on the big bell that is dedicated to him it writes “I remind the people of St. Hilarion that you destroyed the dragon of paganism here. MCMXXV”.