Dubrovnik, often referred to as “The pearl of the Adriatic” and a “museum city”, is one of Croatia’s most treasured gems. Alongside Venice and Amsterdam, is ranks among the top three most beautiful cities in Europe and is protected by UNESCO. Located in Dalmatia, the southernmost region of Croatia, it boasts a particularly warm climate. Remember the Dalmatian dogs with their light fur and dark spots? Just like the Dalmatian coast, that is dotted with islands surrounded by stunning turquoise bays.
Historically, Dubrovnik has had two names. The Latin tribes called it Ragusa, while Dubrovnik is a Slavic name derived from the word “dub”, meaning oak, referencing the dense oak grove that one existed at the foot of Mount Srd. However, much of this forest was lost during the war of independence in the 1990s.
Modern Dubrovnik consists of several regions: the Old Town and its surroundings, including areas like Gruž (an industrial zone with a new port), Lapad, Babin Kuk Pile, Ploče, which are residential districts dotted with charming stone villas. The city is also surrounded by islands, the most famous being Lokrum or the Elaphites.
The Dubrovnik city walls, about 2000 meters long, were built between the 9th and 11thcenturies. They encircle the entire Old Town, including the Bokar and Ravelin Fortresses, St. John’s Bastion, Minčeta Tower – the highest point of medieval Dubrovnik – and the Pile Gate. The Pile Gate, with its monumental arch and sculpture of St. Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik, serves as the main entrance to the Old Town. A walk along the walls can take between 40 minutes to 1.5 hours.
Our tour of the Old Town begins on Stradun Street (known as “Placa” in Italian). In the 11th century, this area was a canal that separated the Italian town of Ragusa from the Slavic Dubrovnik. Today, Stradun is the main street where visitors first encounter the medieval city. On the western end of Stradun is the Great Onofrio Fountain, while the Small Fountain stands at the opposite end. Both fountains are reminders of the ancient aqueduct system built in the mid-15th century by the Italian architect Onofrio della Cava.
Behind the small Church of the Holy Savior (16th century), opposite the Great Onofrio Fountain, lies the Franciscan monastery. Though the monastery church was destroyed in a 17th-century earthquake, its southern portal survived. The monastery was alter rebuilt in the Baroque era. A hidden gem of the monastery is its small courtyard cloister with a double colonnade, which offers a cool, tranquil escape even on the hottest days of August. The monastery’s archives house 20,000 ancient books.
The Monastery Pharmacy, established in 1317, still operates today. Initially intended for the monks who cultivated medicinal herbs in the monastery garden, the pharmacy eventually opened to the public. Visitors can purchase natural medicines and cosmetics made from lavender, rosemary, lemon, roses, and honey, all crafted according to ancient recipes.
On the other side of the Stradun, near the eastern entrance to the city, is the Dominican Monastery. Its design closely resembles that of the Franciscan building, though the church here is larger and better preserved. However, the colonnade and courtyard are less elegant. The main interior attraction is the central crucifix and a fresco above the main altar by Paolo Veneziano. The monastery is particularly appealing to those interested in medieval book miniatures. Nearby, the picturesque Old Port offers cafes and souvenir shops.
Loža Square, home to the Small Onofrio Fountain, is dominated by the Renaissance-Gothic Bell Tower, a replica of a 15th-century structure. The tower features a beautiful copper dial and a turret with figures known as “Boro” and “Maro”, who strike the bell with hammers. The square also houses the Palazzo Sponza, a multifunctional building that once served as a customs house, a place for trade deals, a mint, an academy, and now an archive. The interior is not open to the public, the palace’s exterior is worth admiring. The Rector’s Palace, now a city museum, is nearby. One of the Dubrovnik’s most beautiful churches, the Church of St. Blaise (the city’s patron saint), stands in this area. Built in the 18th century on the site of an old Romanesque church by the Venetian Marino Groppelli, the church’s features a large dome and a Baroque portal accessed by a wide staircase. Inside, the altar houses a silver and gilded statue of St. Blaise, holding a model of the city before the great earthquake of 1667.
Opposite the church is the Column of Orlando, a medieval knight. For centuries, the knight’s right arm (approximately 51 cm long), known as the “Dubrovnik elbow”, served as a measure of fabric for the residents, who would use it to check the honesty of merchants. Behind the Church of St. Blaise and the Rector’s Palace is the Assumption Cathedral, home to a small sacristy. While the cathedral’s exterior is less impressive than that of the Church of St. Blaise, the sacristy holds valuable church relics, including a polyptych by Titian. According to legend, the cathedral was built with funds from King Richard the Lionheart, who survived a shipwreck near Lokrum Island in the 12th century, while returning from the Third Crusade. However, historians dispute this legend.
Near the Cathedral, in the cozy Gundulić Square (named after a local poet), a small morning offers fresh vegetables, fruits and fish. In the evening, the square comes alive with the sounds of street musicians and the chatter of cafes patrons. One of the streets from the square leads to a Baroque staircase designed by the Roman architect Pietro Passalacqua, reminiscent of the famous Spanish Steps in Rome. This staircase leads to the Jesuit Church of St. Ignatius (Ignatius de Loyola).
If time allows, you can also explore the Jewish street (“Zhudioska”) and its Synagogue, the oldest Sephardic synagogue still in use today, complete with a museum and a shop selling themed souvenirs. For maritime enthusiasts, the Maritime Museum features drawings and models of ships from various eras. The entrance to the museum is through the city wall. The Ethnographic Museum “Rupe”, housed in a former granary with wells dug into the rock, displays traditional costumes, household items, jewelry and toys. Outside the city, near the Old Port and the Ploče district, lies the Lazaretto, which now hosts galleries and shops. In the 14th century, this area used to quarantine travelers and goods from the East to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.
Beyond the city walls, a funicular ascends Mount Srd, offering stunning view of the Old Town. The mountaintop is home to the remains of Napoleon’s castle, known for its use as a filming location for “Game of Thrones”. For those seeking adventure, a zigzag path (2 km long) also leads up the mountain. Though the path is not well-maintained, the views are spectacular. Another vantage point for admiring the Old Town is the Fortress of St. Lorenz (Lovrijenac) in the Pile area.
