DISCOVER DUBROVNIK

Explore the Pearl of the Adriatic

Known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik is located in the extreme south of Croatia. Its seaside location, with its magnificent historic old town, helps to proclaim Dubrovnik one of the most interesting places to visit in Dalmatia and the Adriatic Sea.Dubrovnik, the old town

The settlement began to develop in the VIIᵉ century, after the fall of Epidaurus. Two small villages, Ragusa and Dubrava, are joined into a single town – Dubrava. The name comes from the oak forests still called Dubrava today. In 1358, Dubrovnik, freed from Venetian domination, nominally recognized the authority of the kings of Hungary and Croatia. It was on this date that the Municipality of Dubrovnik gave way to the Republic of Dubrovnik. In 1808, the Republic was abolished by Maréchal Marmont. Dubrovnik experienced its greatest growth during the 15th and 16thᵉ centuries, which is reflected in the impressive architecture today. The Old Town was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1979. The city is home to Croatia’s artistic and intellectual elite, and cultural events are frequently organized.

Whether you’re visiting Dubrovnik for the first or the hundredth time, the sense of wonder will never cease when you set eyes on the beauty of the old town. Indeed, it’s hard to imagine anyone tiring of its marble streets, Baroque buildings and endless shimmer of the Adriatic Sea, or failing that, being inspired by a stroll along the ramparts that have protected a civilized and sophisticated republic for centuries. Although the bombing of Dubrovnik in 1991 horrified the world, the city has rebounded with characteristic vigor to enchant visitors once again.

Things to do in Dubrovnik:

1. Dubrovnik’s ramparts

The best-known symbols of Dubrovnik are, without doubt – the city walls. The city walls are THE thing to do in Dubrovnik. It is the ramparts that define the city’s historic physiognomy. They extend over an uninterrupted length of 1940 meters. This complex construction is made up of a series of bastions, towers, forts, casemates and independent fortresses. Few cities have preserved their ramparts like Dubrovnik.
The entrances through the ramparts are located at both ends of Stradun: near the Church of S. Sauver (Porte Pile) and near the Dominican convent (Porte Ploce). The third entrance to the ramparts is at the fort of S. Jean, near the Maritime Museum. Sporty shoes, hats and bottled water are recommended.
Timetable:
1. January – 28. February – 10.00 – 15.00 h
1. March – 31. March – 9.00 – 15.00 h
1. April – 31. May – 9.00 – 18.30 h
1. June – 31. July – 8.00 – 19.30 h
1. August – 15. September – 8.00 – 19.00 h
15. September – 31. October – 9.00 – 18.00 h
1. November – 31. December – 9.00 – 15.00 h
Admission is charged (35€), local currency only, all credit/debit cards accepted.The ramparts of Dubrovnik

2. Assumption Cathedral

Today’s Dubrovnik Cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption, dates back to the early 7th century, built on the site of a Byzantine basilica. Dubrovnik’s original cathedral was enlarged in the 12th century, allegedly financed by a gift from King Richard the Lionheart, who was rescued from a shipwreck on the nearby island of Lokrum. Today’s building dates from the early 18th century. It was built following the almost total destruction of the former Romanesque cathedral by the violent earthquake of 1667. The cathedral is remarkable for its beautiful altars, notably the purple marble altar of St. John Nepomuk. Its religious paintings are particularly noteworthy, including the polyptych of the Assumption of the Virgin, which hangs behind the high altar and was painted in the studio of the 16th-century Italian painter Titian.
The cathedral’s treasury was undoubtedly one of the most sumptuous on the entire Adriatic coast. Among the most important objects in the treasury are reliquaries containing the head and arm of Saint Blaise, patron saint of the city of Dubrovnik.

Assumption Cathedral

3. The Dominican monastery

In the eastern part of the town, on the outskirts of the city walls, lies the great architectural complex of the Dominican convent. The convent itself was built by the Dominican order as early as 1225. This imposing structure is an architectural gem, built in a transitional Gothic-Renaissance style, and containing an impressive art collection. Built at the same time as the city’s 14th-century fortifications, the exterior resembles an austere fortress rather than a religious complex. The interior contains an elegant 15th-century cloister built by local craftsmen to designs by Florentine architect Maso di Bartolomeo.

The convent houses an important library with over 200 incunabula, numerous illuminated manuscripts and an archive with valuable documents and manuscripts. In the rich collection of works of art masterpieces of local painting from the 15th and 16th centuries, whose principal masters are Lovro Dobričević, Mihajlo Hamzić and Nikola Božidarević. The museum also boasts a remarkable collection of foreign works of art, including Paolo Veneziano and Titian.The Dominican convent

4. The Rector’s Palace

The Rector’s Palace is located next to the Municipal Palace. It is one of the most important monuments of secular architecture not only in Dubrovnik, but on the entire Adriatic coast.

The Republic of Ragusa was governed by a rector, elected every month. He was housed in the Rector’s Palace, where he received neither friends nor family, devoting himself entirely to his task. Built in the late 15th century, this Gothic-Renaissance palace contains the rector’s office, private apartments, public rooms, administrative offices and a keep. During his one-month term of office, the rector could not leave the building without the permission of the senate. Today, the palace has been transformed into a museum of cultural history, with skilfully restored rooms, portraits, coats of arms and coins evoking Dubrovnik’s glorious history. The Rector’s Palace also houses a bust of Miho Pracat, a former wealthy merchant from the island of Lopud.

7. Franciscan monastery or convent

At the beginning of the square, to the left of the Pile gate, stands the large complex of the Franciscan convent or Friars Minor. Construction of the current convent began in 1317 and lasted for many years. Parts of the convent were destroyed and rebuilt several times.

There’s also an interesting pharmacy, the 2nd oldest in Europe. Here, visitors will get a glimpse into the past as they see the pharmacy’s mysterious contents, various measuring devices, as well as stills and pestles. The pharmacy has been in use since the Franciscan monastery was built in 1317. Within the monastery walls is a magnificent cloister dating from the mid-14th century, one of the finest late-Romanesque buildings in Dalmatia. The museum inside is also worth a visit.
Opening hours:
Summer: 9.00 – 18.00 h
Winter: 9.00 – 14.00 h
Tickets: EUR 6