Dubrovnik is a real paradise for tourists who appreciate historical and cultural attractions. And although it is not very popular among the domestic public, it is officially classified as one of the three most beautiful cities in Europe, along with Amsterdam and Venice. So everyone needs to visit it.
Today Dubrovnik is a peaceful and calm port city on the Adriatic Sea, which plays a significant role in the economy of modern Croatia. However, its current appearance is deceiving, because Croatia is a country with a long and very eventful history, while Dubrovnik has always been in the thick of all these events. Although, in order not to say much, you can just open the photo and look at the coat of arms of Dubrovnik, which really can tell a lot about this city.
History of the coat of arms
The modern coat of arms of the city is, in fact, a complete copy of the coat of arms of the Dubrovnik Republic that existed in 1358-1808. In the XV-XVI centuries, it was the largest land and sea trade center in the Balkans, which, moreover, was the official intermediary between the Ottoman Empire and other European states. At the beginning of the 19th century, the republic was abolished, but the city retained most of its influence, as well as its symbolism.
Description
The coat of arms of Dubrovnik consists of the following elements:
- crown with a cross;
- shield with silver and red stripes;
- crossed swords.
In this case, the meaning of all symbols clearly indicates the glorious past of the city. For example, a crown with a cross has always been a symbol of supreme power. This is not surprising, given that in the past Dubrovnik was the capital of the republic, and it was here that all its supreme power was concentrated.
The combination of red and silver is also no coincidence. Silver in heraldry symbolizes wisdom, nobility, honesty and serenity, and red means that the city is inhabited by brave people who are ready to shed blood in the struggle for their freedom.
The latter is also confirmed by the presence of swords, which have always been interpreted only as a symbol of readiness to stand up for their kind, as well as take part in the battle with any enemies. The only exception to this can be the flaming swords, which take on a slightly different interpretation. They, in turn, mean the readiness to conquer spiritual heights and the desire to bring enlightenment and knowledge.
