The most popular tourist resort in Croatia, Dubrovnik is attractive not only for its beautiful landscaped beaches and magnificent views of the Adriatic. The preserved architectural ensemble of the old city is included by UNESCO in the lists of the World Heritage of Humanity and is of undoubted interest for any traveler interested in the history of medieval Europe. When going on vacation to Croatia, be prepared to walk a lot along the old streets, where there is something to see. In Dubrovnik, despite numerous earthquakes, the fortress walls, monasteries of the XIV century, ancient fountains, princely palaces and cathedrals, which are hard to find in the whole Old World, have survived.
TOP 10 sights of Dubrovnik
City walls
The complex of fortifications surrounding the historic center of Dubrovnik was built over several centuries. The first walls appeared in the 12th century. on the site of the previously existing limestone fortifications of the 8th century. By 1292, the entire city was protected by powerful fortifications, which included several structures that have been well preserved to this day:
- The symbol of the invincibility of the city, the Mincheta Tower was founded in the 15th century. in place of the pre-existing one. Its walls are six meters thick and have loopholes for shooters.
- The key point of defense of the gate in the west of the city, Fort Bokar is called the most beautiful example of a harmonious construction of fortifications. Today, the open areas of the small bastion are used for festivals and celebrations.
- The north-eastern gate of Dubrovnik was controlled by the fortress of St. John. Now it is possible to look at the inhabitants of the city aquarium and exhibits of the maritime museum.
- The Revelin fortress was built to repel the attacks of the army of the Venetian Republic, and it successfully defended the eastern outskirts of the old city.
The skill of the builders of the city walls of Dubrovnik was confirmed by the earthquake of 1667, in which the fortifications survived.
Princely courtyard
An outstanding architectural monument of the 15th century, the princely palace was built in a mixed Gothic and Renaissance style and was used as the residence of a member of the board of the republic elected monthly by the prince. According to the rules, the chosen one could not leave the residence on personal matters, but had to use all the time to solve pressing state issues. In the Knyazhiy Dvor, rooms, offices, a meeting room, powder and weapons depots, and even a small prison were equipped with the necessary for work and life. The keys to the city gates were kept in one of the rooms of the palace.
Now the city museum is open in the Knyazhiy Dvor, and there is a sculpture of Miho Pracat, who was in the 17th century. a sailor and bequeathed all his fortune to the Dubrovnik Republic.
Dubrovnik Cathedral
If you like looking at medieval baroque buildings, the cathedral of the local diocese will catch your eye in Dubrovnik. The temple was built on the site of earlier churches, the oldest of which existed here from the 6th century.
The foundation stone of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was laid in 1669, and the work continued for about three decades. The architecture of the building is based on the best traditions of the architectural style called Italian Baroque. Three naves and three apses are united by a monumental dome decorated with stone bas-reliefs.
The main value of the temple is a triptych written in the middle of the 16th century. Titian. The paintings depict the Ascension of the Mother of God. The temple contains about 200 items of cultural and historical value - icons, utensils, old books and jewelry.
Sponza Palace
The late Gothic mansion, slightly influenced by the coming Renaissance, was built in Dubrovnik in the first third of the 16th century by the noble city dweller Pasko Milicevic. The most beautiful palazzo has been perfectly preserved to this day, having withstood even a devastating earthquake in the middle of the 17th century.
During its existence, the palace of Sponza housed various state and public organizations - a customs post and a school, a mint and a treasury. In recent years, the city's historical archive has moved to the palazzo.
Church of St. Blasius
One of the most beautiful religious buildings not only in Croatia, but also on the entire Adriatic coast, the Church of St. Blasius appeared in Dubrovnik at the beginning of the 18th century. The author of the project was the Venetian architect Gropellia, and the temple turned out to be elegant, monumental, but light at the same time, typical of the Italian Baroque style.
The richly decorated stucco facade with a wide portal is preceded by an equally luxurious interior decoration. The altar contains a silver sculpture depicting St. Blasius. It was cast in the 15th century. and is notable for the fact that the saint is holding a model of Dubrovnik in his hands.
St. Blaise is especially revered in Dubrovnik, and in memory of him the inhabitants of the city organize festivals and holidays.
Franciscan monastery
The first monastery was founded in the area of the city gates of Pila in the 13th century, but after a hundred years the monks preferred to move under the protection of the fortress walls. The construction of the new monastery began in 1317, and it took several decades to build it.
Alas, today only the southern portal remains of the Franciscan church. The rest was not spared by the earthquake. But even a small part of the temple allows you to imagine all the grandeur of the building, on the creation of which skilled craftsmen of the 15th century worked.
The carved figures that adorned the temple were made by the Petrovich brothers, whose workshop at that time was known throughout the Adriatic coast.
It is noteworthy that in 1317 a pharmacy was opened at the monastery, which is considered the third in the world from continuously working throughout its entire existence. The second monastery attraction is the library, which contains about 20 thousand old books, every tenth of which is an invaluable rarity.
Church of the Holy Savior
A small Catholic church in Dubrovnik, consecrated in honor of the Holy Savior, appeared after the earthquake of 1520. The city council, having cleared the rubble, decided to build a church that would become a symbol of gratitude to the residents of the city for the relatively low death toll and not too much damage. A commemorative inscription above the entrance to the Church of the Holy Savior tells about this.
The project was carried out for eight years, and in 1528 the church received its first parishioners.
The architect Petar Andrić, invited from Korcula, used elements of the Gothic and Renaissance, and the temple turned out to be small, but very beautiful. The single nave is covered with a vaulted ceiling, the pointed arches of the side windows lend austerity to the building, while the Renaissance façade, on the other hand, lends lightness.
By a strange coincidence, the Church of the Savior survived the catastrophic earthquake for Dubrovnik in 1667, when more than half of the city's buildings were destroyed to the ground. Since then, it has become even more important for believers who pray in the temple for the salvation of family and friends.
During the summer months, classical music concerts are often held in the church, which is famous for its excellent acoustics.
Onofrio's fountains
The medieval fountains of Dubrovnik got their name from the name of the architect who worked on the construction of the aqueduct system. You can look at the works of Onofrio Giordano della Cava on Stradun Street and on the Lodge Square. They were part of a complex water supply system created by architects and engineers in the middle of the 15th century. The small fountain of Onofrio provided water for the city market in the square, and the large fountain for the Milicevic square.
The large fountain is often called the hallmark of old Dubrovnik. It is a sixteen-sided building with a round dome. Each face has its own maskeron, from where water flows. The Mascherons are decorated in the form of stylized heads and are surrounded by rich stone stucco.
The aqueduct system of medieval Dubrovnik stretches for 12 km. The source from which water came to the city in those days, and today remains "in service" and fills Onofrio's fountains.
Stradun street
The main tourist street of old Dubrovnik is completely devoted to pedestrians. It is paved with polished limestone slabs and crosses the historical part of the city from the western city wall to the eastern one. Stradun street starts at the Pila gate and ends at the Ploce gate.
After the earthquake and fire in 1667, Dubrovnik was practically rebuilt, and Stradun Street received a development project in the same architectural style. The result is a beautiful and harmonious urban artery, which is adorned with the facades of buildings in the late Renaissance style.
Today, tourists prefer Stradun for several more reasons. For example, the best restaurants are located on it, where you can not only get acquainted with Croatian cuisine, but also spend the evening at a table with a picturesque view of the old town. Also on the local Arbat you will find many shops with souvenirs and local artists and musicians who are ready to brighten up the traveler's leisure time and lighten his wallet a little.
Fort St. Lawrence
The fortress on a rocky cliff at an altitude of 37 m above sea level has played an important role in the history of the city. With its help, local residents held back the onslaught of the Venetians, thanks to the powerful walls, the thickness of which reaches 12 m in places.
It was possible to enter the fort only by suspension bridges, and the protection of the small fortress was carried out by 10 artillery pieces, the largest of which was a cannon called "Lizard".
Above the gates of the Fort of St. Lawrence there is an inscription in Latin "Freedom is not for sale for any treasures of the world." This motto has been the main one for the defenders of the fortress at all times.
Being part of the system of city fortifications of Dubrovnik, the fort is famous for the fact that never in the entire history of its existence did not yield to the onslaught of the enemy.
