Osanna da Cattaro and Franceschina da Zara: Living Saints as Spiritual Protectors during the Ottoman Siege of Kotor
Osanna da Cattaro and Franceschina da Zara: Living Saints as Spiritual Protectors during the Ottoman Siege of Kotor

Summary/Abstract: According to the hagiographical tradition recorded in Vita di beata Osanna by Florentine Dominican Serafino Razzi (1592), the Kotor santa viva is credited with a prominent role in the town’s spiritual protection during the attacks of Ottoman admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa (1539). A somewhat different representation was depicted in the personal correspondence between town guardian, Captain Gian Matteo Bembo, and his cousin, the famous cardinal Pietro Bembo, during the Ottoman siege of Kotor. Their letters focused on spiritual protection with no mention of Osanna, but rather, a general debate about the prayers of holy nuns from Kotor and Zadar. One name stood out – santa monaca Franceschina from Zadar, whose prayers, advice and prophecies cardinal Pietro Bembo particularly revered. This paper explores the issue of the role of santa viva as a protector of Venetian Kotor by addressing the hagiographical tradition and written testimonies of participants in historical events.

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