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Destination:

Croatia


Dubrovnik


With its towering medieval walls, gleaming marble streets and spectacular setting overlooking the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is the crown jewel of the Dalmatian coast. Though heavily shelled in 1991-92 during the Croatian War for Independence, the walls and historic buildings have been painstakingly restored, and the city shimmers with beauty and vitality.

This is not the first time Dubrovnik has been rebuilt. Unlike most of Dalmatia, it was essentially an independent republic during the Renaissance, and became a thriving center of science and culture. Unfortunately, most of the Renaissance art and architecture was destroyed in a major earthquake in 1667. Reconstructed in a Baroque style, it fell into a long economic decline from which it only recovered in the last century. Today, Dubrovnik is a magnet for travelers who come to walk its famous walls, swim at its lovely beaches and drink in its stunning views. The old town is filled with charming cafes, boutiques and local curiosities, nestled in the intricate network of its cobbled streets.

Most visitors will enter through the magnificent Pile Gate, dating from 1537. Beyond the gate is the ancient city’s pedestrian promenade, Stradun, which widens into the impressive Luza Square. Located in the heart of Dubrovnik, this is the city’s main square and is surrounded by its most important buildings.

topSights


City Walls

Tickets available just inside the Pile Gate, near the Maritime Museum/St. John's Fortress, and near the Dominican Monastery at the Ploce Gate
Open daily: summer 8am-7pm, winter 10am-3pm (hours vary - inquire at ticket office)

No one should visit Dubrovnik without taking a scenic walk atop the city’s iconic medieval walls. Built between the 13th and 16th century, the walls enclose the city completely, forming an impressive shield up to 82 feet high. A stroll along its 1 ¼ mile lengths offers spectacular views of tiled roofs, turrets, church steeples, offshore islands and the azure Adriatic, as well as glimpses into the courtyards, shops, cafes and everyday lives of the city’s residents.

You should allow an hour or more to do the complete circuit – it’s best to go early or late in the day, when the heat is less intense. (Be sure to bring water and sun protection in any case – there is very little shade up there). However, you won’t be sold a ticket if you try to go up less than 30 minutes before closing time.


Cable Car

Lower Station: Petra Krešimira 4. bb, 20000 Dubrovnik
Tel: +385 20 414 321
Departures every half hour. Operates Dec-Jan 9am-4pm, Feb, Mar, Nov 9am-5pm, Apr, May, Oct 9am-8pm, Jun-Aug 9am-midnight, Sep 9am-10pm

Closed after the bombing of the city in 1991, this historic cable car reopened in 2010. Views of the city from the top are unsurpassed – on a clear day the vista stretches up to 37 miles. The upper station, located 1,328 feet above sea level, has three terraces equipped with binocular telescopes, a restaurant with a panoramic view, and an amphitheatre. To get there from the Old City, start at Buza street on the north side of town. Continue up Zagrebacka Street towards the fire station. From the fire station, turn right into Petra Kresimira 4 Street.


Church of St. Blaise

Notable for its distinctive baroque façade, this church was rebuilt in 1715 to replace the former church, badly damaged in the 1667 earthquake. Within are a number of treasures rescued from the original church, including a gilded statue of St. Blaise, Dubrovnik’s patron saint, holding a pre-earthquake model of the city.


Rector’s Palace

Pred dvorom 3, Dubrovnik
Tel: +385 20 321 422
Open winter Mon-Sat 9am-1pm; summer Mon-Sat 9am-1pm and 4-5pm,
 Sunday 9am-1pm

The first two palaces built on this site were destroyed by gunpowder explosions. The current Gothic-Renaissance palace, dating from the 15th century, was damaged in the Great Earthquake and has been reconstructed and added on to numerous times, but still manages to be a harmonious mix of architectural elements. It was once the official residence of the elected rector of Dubrovnik, the highest authority in the city. Today the palace is home to the fascinating Museum of Dubrovnik, with rooms carefully restored and furnished in period style.


Franciscan Monastery and Museum

Placa 2, Dubrovnik
Tel: +385 20 321 410

This ornate14th-century Romanesque-Gothic church was almost completely destroyed in the 1667 earthquake. All that remains of the original church is the portal (engraved with a lovely pieta) and the 14th-century cloister, considered one of Dubrovnik’s architectural masterpieces. Within is a working pharmacy, dating from 1317, which is the third oldest pharmacy in Europe and the only one still in operation. There is also a museum filled with religious artwork, ancient pharmacy equipment, and other priceless objects, along with an impressive library.


Dominican Monastery and Museum

Sveti Dominika 4, Dubrovnik
Open summer 9am-6pm, winter 9am-5pm

The church and cloister of this monastery retain many of their 14th and 15th century Gothic-Renaissance elements. The real draw, however, is the museum, which holds many fine religious paintings and other artwork dating back to the 15th century, including works by Titian. It is an absolute must for those interested in the Dubrovnik and Venetian schools of art.


Sponza Palace

Built as a customs house, this exquisite 16th century Gothic-Renaissance building, with its delicately columned portico, is arguably the loveliest building in Dubrovnik. During the Renaissance heyday, Sponza Palace was the Republic’s cultural center, where the "Academy of the Learned" met to discuss art, science and literature. Today it holds the State Archives, as well as the Memorial Room of the Defenders of Dubrovnik, which honors those who perished during the Croatian War of Independence.


Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin

The original 12th century basilica on this site was supposedly funded by Sir Richard the Lionheart, who was rescued from a shipwreck on nearby Lokrum Island. When that church was destroyed in the Great Earthquake, the current, imposing Baroque structure was built to replace it. This cathedral is famous for the Titian polyptych hanging behind the main altar, and for its treasury, filled with ancient relics including over 200 gold and silver reliquaries, the gold-plated arm, leg and skull of St. Blaise, and an alleged fragment of the True Cross.

topDay Trip


Ston and Mali Ston

Located 37 miles northwest of Dubrovnik on the Peljesac Peninsula, these towns are famous for their seafood, especially oysters. Ston is notable for the medieval buildings in its center and the14th-century walls that climb up the hill from the town – this was once Europe’s longest fortification. Mali Ston is situated on a picturesque harbor just slightly to the northeast of Ston.