Dubrovnik is an old city on the Adriatic Sea coast in the extreme south of Croatia. It is one of the most prominent tourist resorts of the Mediterranean, a seaport and the center of the Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its population was about 47.000 in 2009. Dubrovnik is nicknamed “Pearl of the Adriatic” and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
The city of Dubrovnik (Latin name Ragusa) was built on maritime trade. In the Middle Ages it became the only city-state in the Adriatic to rival Venice. Supported by its wealth and skilled diplomacy, the city achieved a remarkable level of development during the 15th and 16th centuries. Furthermore, Dubrovnik was one of the centers of the development of the Croatian language and literature, home to many notable poets, playwrights, painters, mathematicians, physicists and other scholars.
Today Dubrovnik is the proudest feather in Croatia’s tourist cap, an elite destination and one of the most beautiful towns in the Mediterranean. Dubrovnik used to be an independent republic, surviving mostly on trade. It managed to survive many centuries, with constant threats to its territory, particularly from the mighty Ottoman Empire and Venice. As early as 19th century, it was discovered by celebrities as a place to be seen. George Bernard Shaw once said that “those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik and find it”. Royalty, presidents and diplomats have all favored the city. The late Pope John Paul II was a fan of Dubrovnik and was even made an honorary citizen. Out of the 18 top luxury hotels in Croatia, 11 are located in Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik is steeped in stunning architecture and sculptural detail, and boasts spectacular churches, monasteries, museums, fountain. A multitude of typical towns and excursions include: The Elafiti Islands, the attractive town of Cavtat, Mljet Island, Korčula Island and Peljesac Peninsula.
You will probably enter the old town through the Pile Gate – in front of you is the Stradun. Here you will find the Onofrio Fountain, built in 1438. On the right is theFranciscan Monastery, with one of the oldest functioning pharmacies in Europe, in operation since 1391. At the other end of the Stradun, you will find the locals’ favourite meeting place, the Orlando Column, with the nearby Sponza Place and the baroque church of St. Blaise. Here is also the Rector’s Palace, built in 1441, which is now a city museum packed with valuable and historic exhibits.
Opposite the palace through a narrow street is a square, Gunduliceva Poljana, which is the site of the busy morning market. In the same square is the Jesuit Monastery from the early 18th century. From here you can head for the little old town port and visit the city walls which encircle the city and which have been remarkably preserved.
Travel advisor Sightseeing
Stradun/Placa
The Stradun, also called Placa, runs from Pile Gate to Ploce Gate. The paving stones were laid in 1468. At one end (at Pile Gate) is the Onofrio Fountain whilst at the other end is the Orlando Column, a favourite meeting place for locals.
The City Walls
The city walls were originally constructed in the 10th century, although fortified considerably in 1453. They are 3m thick along the sea wall, and 6m thick inland. The Old Town has fortresses at its four corners, which are the Minceta Tower , Revelin Fortress, St John’s Fortress, and Bokar Bastion.
Sponza Palace
Constructed in 1522 – a survivor of the 1667 earthquake – the Palace has had a variety of uses over the centuries, including where the Republic of Ragusa minted its currency. These days, it houses the city archives upstairs whilst downstairs is used for exhibitions and during the Summer Festival. It also houses a permanent exhibition named “Memorial Room of the Dubrovnik Defenders”, a memorial to those Dubrovnik citizens who lost their lives during the war between 1991 and 1995.
Pile Gate
From the 15th and 16th centuries, the western gate was and is the traditional entrance to the Old Town. The gate contains a statue of St Blaise, Dubrovnik’s patron saint.
Onofrio’s Large Fountain (Great Onofrio Well)
Originally constructed in 1438 by Italian architect Onofrio della Cava, the fountain was partially damaged in the 1667 earthquake and further during the war in 1992. The fountain was part of the city’s water mains constructed in the 15th century which brought water from the Dubrovacka River 12km away.
Ploce Gate
The eastern entrance to the Old Town, this gate stems from the 15th century.
Franciscan Monastery
Includes a calming cloister from 1360, the main party of the monastery was destroyed in the earthquake of 1667 and was rebuilt. The monastery also contains what is thought to be the oldest pharmacy/apothecary in Europe , from 1316/7.
Church of St Blaise (Crkva svetog Vlaha in Croatian)
A Baroque church, built between 1705 and 1717, which features a silver statue of the Dubrovnik patron saint on the altar, holding a model of the city, which is brought out each year during the Festival of St Blaise. The stained glass windows of the church are relatively recent, having been added in the 1970s.
Cathedral (Katedrala in Croatian)
The cathedral currently standing dates from 1673, designed by Roman architect Andrea Buffalini to replace the original 12th century cathedral which was destroyed by the earthquake. The cathedral includes aAssumption Of Our Lady/The Virgin painting/polyptych that has been assumed to have been painted by Titian. The Treasury of the cathedral is home to the skull of St Blaise which has been encased in a jewel-encrusted crown. Another earthquake in 1979 saw cause to dig drains beneath the cathedral; these excavations uncovered a Romanesque cathedral beneath the current one. Further digging, uncoveredanother church underneath this one, dating from about the 6th to 6th centuries.
Rector’s Palace
Mainly designed by Onofrio della Cava – who also designed Onofrio’s fountain – the rector’s palace has a somewhat turbulent history. The original building (from 1200) was completely destroyed in 1435 by a gunpowder explosion; this one, from the same year, saw the second floor also completely destroyed by an other explosion in 1463. Further damage was caused by the 1667 earthquake. The result of all this tumult meant the resulting building built in various styles and by various desingers. Currently home to the city museum, the palace was of course home to the Rector, who acted as a kind of figurehead of the Republic of Ragusa which little actual power himself.
Travel advisor Events
February
The Festival of St Blaise (who is Dubrovnik’s patron saint) includes a number of ceremonies in which the people of Dubrovnik pay their respect to the saint. The day is also considered a “City of Dubrovnik Day”, and a number of events are also held to celebrate this.
Also in February, the four-day Dubrovnik Carnival in mid February sees various fun festivities take place, including a masked parade!
May
The folklore ensemble Lindjo perform in Dubrovnik from May throughout the summer until October (with special performances during the Summer Festival – see below.) A tradition of the city, the dance ensemble have been performing for over 40 years
July
The annual Libertas Film Festival showcases international and Croatian films and also features European premieres of certain films.
One of Croatia’s most famous events, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival starts mid-July and runs until the end of August. Each year, the Festival includes theatre, opera, music and dance events at various open-air venues around the city. The 61st Festival will take place in 2010.
September
Each year, the Julian Rachlin & Friends festival of chamber music features world-renowned musicians led by Austrian violinist Julian Rachlin. Started in 2000, the festival features a series of concerts each year in wonderful landmarks across the city.
October
The rather sweet sounding (in more ways than one!)International Festival of Jams & Marmalades takes place over the first weeked of October, with a variety of jam products from Croatian and neighbouring countries exhibiting. A competition to pick the best jam also takes place!
