In the southern part of Croatia’s coastline lies a small city with a glorious past – the city of Dubrovnik. There, at the foot of Mount Srđ, on a cliff-top overlooking the Adriatic Sea, a legend tells it, starts in the seventh century the history of Ragusa – later Dubrovnik. (It’s important to note that archaeological research in recent times suggests an earlier continuous settlement of the area).
Over the centuries, the small maritime town grows in its size, turning into one of the biggest rivals of the powerful Venetian Republic. Ragusa (Dubrovnik), too, will bear a title of a Republic starting from 1358. In the centuries that follow, notably in the 15th and 16th centuries, the small Republic goes through its golden ages. It develops architecturally, and reaches a recognizable social, political, and cultural identity, making it a unique creation in this part of the Mediterranean world.
In the year 1272, the city issued its Statute, defining, amongst other things, the town planning. In 1317, one of Europe’s oldest public pharmacies was opened in the Franciscan Monastery, and in 1337 Dubrovnik started forging its own money. In 1377 the Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik) finished the construction of the world’s first quarantine to fight contagious diseases, and in 1416 it abolished the slave trade on its territory. In 1432 the state’s orphanage was founded, and in 1436 the water supply system was finished.
Unfortunately, on April 6, 1667 Dubrovnik was struck by what is said to be one of Europe’s most powerful earthquakes. Although the city recovered and was rebuilt all over again, it never reached its previous power and influence. The tiny Republic will continue its existence until the arrival of Napoleon’s army, and the Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik) was abolished in 1808.
Over the course of the 20th century, Dubrovnik becomes one of Croatia’s most popular tourist destinations. In the year 1979, Unesco inscribed Dubrovnik’s old town on its World Heritage List. At the end of the 20th century, in the 1990s, the city went through one of the hardest times in its history during Croatia’s Homeland war, following the break apart of the former Yugoslavia. The city recovered, the war wounds were healed, and Dubrovnik shines again in all its beauty, continuing to be a regular appearance on the lists of the world’s top must-see places.
What to visit
The Cathedral of the Assumption of our Lady (1672-1713) stands as a representative example of the Baroque architecture in Dubrovnik. It was built on the site of an earlier Romanesque Cathedral which was entirely destroyed in the Great Earthquake of 1667. During the archaeological research, conducted in the early 1980s, the remains of a third church, known today as a Byzantine Basilica were discovered underneath its foundations. The Cathedral’s Treasury, built in the 18th century, holds numerous artefacts, among which the reliquaries of saints are the most numerous.
The Franciscan Monastery of the Friars Minor in the old town goes back to the beginning of the 14th century, when its construction started. It is famous for its magnificent Romanesque and Gothic cloister, which survived the 1667 Earthquake. The monastery’s museum boasts a number of treasures among which the inventory of the Old Pharmacy. It is believed that the Monastery’s first pharmacy was opened in 1317 and it is considered as one of Europe’s oldest still active pharmacies.
The Rector’s Palace was the seat of government and the official residence of the rector of the Dubrovnik Republic. It was built at the beginning of the 15th century in the Gothic and Renaissance style, but the building underwent many alterations notably after the 1667 earthquake. Today the building houses the Cultural – History Museum.
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The Maritime Museum is located inside the Fort of St john, which was built to protect the entrance to the city’s old port. The museum displays a great number of objects related to the maritme past of Dubrovnik and its region.
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The Dominican Monastery and the Church are located in the north-eastern part of the old town, close to the old harbor. Its building began at the beginning of the 14th century and ended in the 16th century, although today the monastery features a number of Baroque style elements, due to the damage inflicted during the 1667 Great Earthquake. The Monastery and the Church of St Dominic boast a superb collection of valuable objects and works of art gathered over centuries.
The Synagogue and its museum are located near the old town’s main square in Žudioska ulica (Jewish street). Today’s synagogue dates from 1652. Its interior is decorated in the Baroque style. On the first floor of the building there is a small museum, which displays a number of valuable religious objects and archival documents witnessing to the rich life of the small Jewish community of Dubrovnik.
With their circumference of 1940 m, the city walls of Dubrovnik represent one of Europe’s most beautiful and best preserved fortification systems. The construction began at the end of the 12th century and while their present appearance dates mostly from the 15th and the 16th century, they were continuously perfected till the 17th century. Today, the most significant landmark of Dubrovnik, the city walls are also one of the biggest reasons why Dubrovnik was declared a UNESCO’s heritage site in 1979.
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http://citywallsdubrovnik.hr/bastina/gradske-zidine/?lang=en
Good to know
If you wish to get to the old town from Gruž Harbour you can either take a taxi (13 euros approx.per ride) or take a local bus number 1A or 1B (tickets can be purchased on the bus, only KUNA excepted!).
Taxis are usually waiting at the dock on ship`s arrival, or you can take one just outside the main harbour at their waiting posts.
If you are planning to visit Dubrovnik, you may consider learning more about Dubrovnik card/pass. Depending on the lenght of your stay and your interests, there are 3 types: 1-Day, 3- Day or 7- Day card. Dubrovnik card offers entrances to different number of cutural-historical monuments, as well as some other benefits. You may find more info on www.dubrovnikcard.com
The public toilets are situated at two locations: near the west entrance (Pile gate) and in Dubrovnik old town harbour. Please note that in Dubrovnik/Croatia a public toilet doesn`t necessarily mean free of charge. The public toilets in Dubrovnik are payable: 1 Euro (payable only in euro COINS and with the EXACT amount of money).
Locals do it, you can do it as well. It`s safe to drink and soo refreshing. A great way to save the money and the environement while staying hydrated. So important during the hot summer days!