Sightseeing OverviewAll of the main attractions are
conveniently located in the
pedestrianized old city, which in itself is the standout attraction, a perfectly preserved
baroque city-state. The best way to get acquainted with the city is to climb up on to the
solid medieval walls, which protected the Ragusan Republic over the centuries and now provide a
bird’s-eye view of its historic buildings for tourists.
The main thoroughfare is the
Stradun (or
Placa) where the
Franciscan Monastery is located as well as the graceful
Sponza Palace, one of the few buildings to survive the devastating earthquake of 1667. It is also home to the iconic
clocktower, the
Church of St Blaise,
Onforio’s fountain and
Orlando’s column. Just around the corner are the
cathedral and the
Rector’s Palace, once home of the nominal head of the republic, now a
museum and
cultural venue.
Tourist InformationThe main tourist information center is located on the Stradun, Placa bb (tel: (020) 323 350;
www.tic-stradun.hr). Staff hand out maps and leaflets and can also book tickets for various cultural events.
Another branch can be found next to the Jadrolinja ticket office at the ferry terminal in the suburb of Gruż, Gurška obala bb (tel: (020) 417 983). Private tourist agencies are generally more interested in booking people on one of their guided tours than they are in dispensing advice or maps.
Key Attractions:City Walls A stroll around Dubrovnik’s sturdy city walls is nigh on essential. The 2km (1.2-mile) path that winds its way around the myriad fortresses provides a stunning vantage point from which to survey the old town rooftops, old port, Adriatic and the harsh limestone crags to the north. Allow at least an hour.
Access from the Stradun, Svetog Dominika and Kneza Damjana Jude
The Stradun Dubrovnik’s main thoroughfare cuts through the pedestrianized heart of the old city. Formed when the channel that separated Ragusa from the mainland was filled in during the 12th century, today it bustles with tourists and boasts a wealth of cafes, bars, shops and restaurants.
Franciscan Monastery This monastery complex lies just off the Stradun. Highlights include one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe, the single nave
Church of St Francis, the
Monastery Museum and an interior courtyard bordered by ornate cloisters.
Placa 2
Tel: (020) 321 410.
Sponza Palace Look out for the ‘We are forbidden to cheat and use false measures, and when I weigh goods, God weighs me’ motto which reveals much about one of the former roles of this graceful 14th-century palace. It also served as Ragusa’s customs house and mint. Today it is home to the moving Memorial Room of the Dubrovnik Defenders, where harrowing photos and video footage bring the 1991-1992 siege to life.
Svetog Dominika 1
Tel: (020) 321 032.
Rector’s Palace Just south of the Stradun, the former home of the city’s old rector is a Venetian-gothic masterpiece. Unlike many despots of the time, the rector did not outgrow his boots in democratic Dubrovnik and he had a limited term in office, during which he was largely banned from leaving the palace except on official business. Today the courtyard is a venue for traditional dancing and music in summer, and the complex also houses a decent museum.
Pred Dvorom 3
Tel: (020) 321 437.
Further Distractions:The Church of St BlaiseThis 18th-century baroque church dedicated to the city’s patron saint lies at the eastern end of the Stradun. Look out for the figure of St Blaise cradling a model of his beloved city (revealing what Dubrovnik looked like before the 1667 earthquake) and the 15th-century statue of the venerated saint.
Luża 3
Tel: (020) 323 462.
Cathedral Legend has it that the original cathedral was built by Richard the Lionheart of England as a thank you for his life being spared in a violent storm off Dubrovnik. This baroque incarnation on Pred Dvorom comes complete with three aisles and a large cupola that dominates the city skyline.
Kneza Damjana Jude 1
Tel. (020) 323 459.
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The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
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