Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Maskeron

In Dubrovnik, Croatia, there's a charming local legend centered around a maskeron—a stone gargoyle-like face—embedded in the wall just a few feet above the ground on the outer wall of the Franciscan Monastery, near the Pile Gate entrance to the Old Town.
This maskeron, often called the "Dubrovnik Gargoyle", was originally a medieval water spout, but over time it became the focus of a quirky ritual. According to local folklore, if you can balance on top of the narrow ledge of the maskeron, facing the wall, and then take off your shirt and put it back on without falling, you will be granted everlasting love.
Our guide shared that no adult—other than children—has been able to successfully take off their shirt and put it back on while balancing on the maskeron. A few have managed to take it off, but none has succeeded in putting it back on without tumbling.

Son#2 takes the challenge


             
If you care to look carefully, there is a mini gargoyle where the mice gather—a forgotten guardian, perhaps, or just a secret audience to their daring antics. Perched quietly, it has watched generations of whiskered challengers attempt the Maskeron feat.

20 comments:

  1. How cute is that? I'm assuming son #2 didn't accomplish it either...

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  2. Cute -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com

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  3. Beautiful photos of the maskeron.
    The video is also very nice, many people do not manage to stay on it.
    The last boy does manage to take off his sweater.
    Very cute the AI ​​mice.
    Greetings Irma

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  4. I like the stone gargoyle. Your AI mouses are always so sweet! I look forward to see them every time :)
    Have a wonderful day, Veronica!

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  5. What a sweet story! Have a great week :)

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  6. That seems like a tricky feat indeed!

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  7. A good story and how interesting to watch the people trying to stay there in the video.
    The mice :)

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  8. What a beautiful story, dear Veronica!
    We’ve actually visited Dubrovnik twice in our lives, but we never saw the Maskeron gargoyle – and had never heard of this charming legend either. I imagine it must be incredibly tricky to take off and put on a shirt while balancing on that narrow stone (as we can clearly see in the video!) – but luckily, I managed to find love without that particular help 😉❤️
    I’m sure your sweet little mice had a much easier time with it! 🐭
    All the best,
    Traude
    🌿 https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2025/06/juni-highlights-naturpark-sparbach.html

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  9. I have never been to Dubrovnik, as when visiting Croatia I went as far as Split.
    Thanks for sharing such a beautiful photos of one of the main Dubrovnik's landmarks.

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  10. The mice enjoy success once again! I love that you shared this legend with us, Veronica. Blessings!

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  11. Oh very cute gargoyle
    Thanks for sharing with us

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  12. The picture with the mice is magical. I'm always happy to see new mouse pictures.
    The gargoyle has an interesting legend. Perhaps children can do it because they have smaller feet and therefore stand more securely. :)

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  13. very beautiful photos, thanks for your sharing

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  14. Yeah, that challenge looks impossible for adult-sized humans. Interesting decoration on a water spout.

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  15. Oh, that is so challenging. Good for the boy to be able to do this. And your son almost succeeded! : )

    ~Sheri

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  16. Liebe Veronica,
    was für eine schöne Geschichte. Wie witzig dass Sohn 2 es probiert hat. Ich stelle mir das auch echt schwierig vor und denke kleine Menschen haben auf jeden Fall mehr Chancen dies zu erreichen als große Leute. Ich mag Dein Foto vom Maskeron mit den Mäusen♥

    Liebe Grüße
    Kerstin und Helga

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  17. That was fun and those mice are so darn cute!

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