Dubrovnik

DUBROVNIK

Wonderful medieval city of Croatia

is the now pearl of South Dalmatia

In 1979 the city of Dubrovnik joined the Unesco list of World Heritage Sites. It’s a city of about 45.000 people on the southern coast of the Adriatic Sea and its old Venetian name was Ragusa.It was vary wealthly port especially in the 15th and 16th centuries.In Croatian, and all other Slavic languages, the city is know as Dubrovnik.

FOUNDATION OF DUBROVNIK1. Theory: it was founded in the 7th century by people

escaping from Slavic invasion.2. Theory: it was founded by Greek people because it

was found a Byzantine church.

HISTORYThe importance of Dubrovnik is that it was for

centuries a city-state among powerful State: the Republic of Venice Hungary Ottman Empire

From 1205 to 1358 it was controlled by Venice.

The Republic of Ragusa was very modern as it received the statutes in 1272.

* Medical service was introduced in 1301 * The first pharmacy (still working) was opened in 1317 * A refuge for old people was opened in 1347 * The first quarantine hospital (Lazarete) was opened in 1377 * Slave trading was abolished in 1418 * The orphanage was opened in 1432 * The water supply system (20 kilometers) was constructed in 1436.

The city was ruled by the local aristocracy.

As for the languages spoken in Dubrovnik we have two remember the romance Dalmatian, the Slavic Croatian and even the venetian dialect.

The Republic gradually declined after a crisis of Mediterranean shipping and especially a catastrophic earthquake in 1667.You can see the monument after the earthquake.

IMPORTANT MONUMENTSFew of Dubrovnik's Renaissance buildings survived the earthquake of 1667 but fortunately enough remain to give an idea of the city's architectural heritage. The finest Renaissance highlight is the Sponza Palace which dates from the 16th century and is currently used to house the National Archives. The Rectors Palace is a Gothic-Renaissance structure that displays finely-carved capitals and an ornate staircase. It now houses a museum.The St Saviour Church is another remnant of the Renaissance period, next to the much-visited Franciscan Monastery.

Dubrovnik's most beloved church is St Blaise's church, built in the 18th century in honor of Dubrovnik's patron saint. Dubrovnik's baroque Cathedral was built in the 18th century and houses an impressive Treasury with relics of Saint Blaise. The city's Dominican Monastery resembles a fortress on the outside but the interior contains an art museum and a Gothic-Romanesque church.[21] A special treasure of the Dominican monastery is its library with over 220 incunabula, numerous illustrated manuscripts, a rich archive with precious manuscripts and documents and an extensive art collection.[

WALLS OF DUBROVNIKA feature of Dubrovnik is its walls that run 2 km around the city. The walls run from four to six metres thick on the landward side but are much thinner on the seaward side. The system of turrets and towers were intended to protect the vulnerable city.

DUBROVNIK SIGHTS

One of the best ways to get a feeling for Dubrovnik is to take a 2km walk around the city walls.

You can enjoy an exceptional panorama, the natural beauty of the sea and the ancient city will leave you fascinated.

Our next destination is the church dedicated to St. Blaise.

The church built in the 18th century in honor of Dubrovnik’s patron saint.

The city's Cathedral is a Baroque style and is one of the main attractions of the City.

Straight ahead is the town's main street, Placa or Stradun, Dubrovnik's most illustrious feature,punctuated by the clock tower at the end.

Along this wide gleaming street lined with shops and cafes, all Dubrovnik's processions take place.

You can relax with a drink immersed in the heart of the city.

Right in front of the Pile Gate entrance is the circular Onofrio Fountain (named after its Neapolitan builder) built in the 15th century and sporting 16 carved masks.

Opposite is the Franciscan Monastery with the restored sculpture of the Pieta over the entrance door. Inside is the Pharmacy dating from the 14th century and a gorgeous cloister also from the 14th century. Next to the monastery is the 16th-century St Saviour Church, one of the few Renaissance structures to survive the earthquake of 1667.There are often concerts and exhibitions here.

A few steps away you can admire the imposing Sponza Palace.You may visit the ground floor and the Museum of the Dubrovnik Defenders.

The Renaissance highlight you can visit is the Rector's Palace. It was built in the late 15th century for Dubrovnik's ruler, the elected Rector, who held office for one month on a revolving basis and was not allowed to leave during his term. The interior has been turned into a fascinating museum with renovated rooms, furnishings and art from Dubrovnik's glorious past.

Across the square and marvel at the beauty Dubrovnik's baroque Cathedral. Built in the 18th century after an earthquake destroyed the original,the cathedral is still being explored after excavations revealed traces dating back to the 7th century. Don't miss the Treasury with its relics from St Blaise and a Madonna attributed to Raphael.

Between the Rector's Palace and the Cathedral is Gundulic square, scene of a morning market and the deluxe Pucic Palace hotel, the only luxury hotel in the Old Town. In the centre of town is a statue of Dubrovnik's renowned poet Ivan Gundulic.

You can capture the lively spirit of the city.

Our final destination is the Ploce Gate; you'll come to the Dominican Monastery with a sober exterior that blends into Dubrovnik's walls. The art collection here centers on Dubrovnik's finest painters, mostly from the 15th and 16th centuries. There's also a lovely cloister dedicated to St Sebastian.

Dubrovnik is one of the major tourist attractions around the world, immerse yourself in local traditions and savor the fresh taste of the city, you can enjoy a pleasant climate and you can relax and enjoy the Croatian coast, not only tanning but also diving in the crystal sea, fishing, horseback riding and walking in nature.