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 head on to the solid medieval walls, which protected the Ragusan Republic over the centuries and now provide a bird’s eye view of its buildings for tourists. The main thoroughfare is the Stradun 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. 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 on Ante Starciceva 7 (tel: (020) 427 591) is up the hill just to the north of the Pile Gate and an easy stroll from the old city. The often surly staff sometimes give out maps and some leaflets and can also book tickets for various cultural events. Handily there is a small Internet café housed within the office. Other smaller branches of the local tourist office can be found on Miha Pracata and next to the Jadrolinja ticket office at the ferry terminal in the suburb of Gruż (close to the main bus station). A new arrival in 2005 was a small tourist office on the Stradun near the Franciscan Monastery. The private tourist agencies are generally more interested in booking people on one of their myriad guided tours than they are in dispensing advice or maps.
Key Attractions:City Walls These rugged stone walls loop up around the city skirting the harsh limestone crags to the north and then pass the old port before scooping back around the coast where the Adriatic laps against its voluminous bastions. It is possible to walk around in an hour, but it is better to linger and take one of the audio tours by picking up a headset at the ticket counters on the way up to the walls.
The Stradun Dubrovnik’s main thoroughfare (also known as the Placa) spreads right 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 the thoroughfare bustles with tourists during the summer and boasts a wealth of cafes, bars, shops and restaurants.
Franciscan Monastery This monastery complex lies just off the Stradun – make sure to come early if a cruise ship is in town to avoid the crowds. The single nave
Church of St Francis is a large and cool space (a welcome escape from the crowds and heat in summer), and the
Monastery Museum is worth venturing into with a range of exhibits taken from the monastery and its old fourteenth century pharmacist.
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 role of this graceful palace on the Stradun. The 14th-century palace used to function as Ragusa’s customs house and mint, but today it is home to the State Archives and a small museum dedicated to the locals who died fighting for the city in the 1991-1992 siege.
Rector’s Palace Just a short stroll off the Stradun is the former home of the city’s old rector. 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.
Further Distractions:St Blaise’s Church This 18th century baroque church is dedicated to the city’s patron saint and lies at the head of the Stradun at the point where it unfurls into Luża Square. Inside, St Blaise proudly cradles a model of his beloved city, revealing what Dubrovnik looked like before the devastating 17th century earthquake.
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.
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The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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