Throughout the centuries, Dubrovnik a small town, once also country, has always been a cultural metropolis, a city where romance becomes reality… it is hard to describe it in words, one can not truly experience it through pictures… it is a city that needs to be felt with all your senses with its mesmerizing and breathtaking stone beauty.
It is difficult in only a few days to unfold everything that this magical Mediterranean city and its surrounding area offer. If you wish to see and experience more we have decided to single out 10 interesting things you have to visit during your stay in Dubrovnik:
1. The Rector’s Palace
A simple, harmonious, gothic – renaissance palace through which all of Dubrovnik’s history has passes. Just like the Republic, this palace endured a stormy past, it was destroyed by gunpowder explosion, shaken by earthquakes several times, and today we still stand in front of it and admire the harmony of this environment, and stone. The palace was the administrative seat of the Dubrovnik government but a prince also lived in there The palace had a room for the Chamber, a Senate Chamber, apartment for the Prince, courtroom, office, notary, prisons, armory and warehouse. Today in the Rector’s Palace situated is the cultural and historical department of the Dubrovnik Museum. There are also a set of ambient halls with antique furniture and utility objects with pictures mostly of Italian and local artists, a collection of the Dubrovnik Republic, a collection of weapons and items from the pharmacy “Domus Christi” from the 15th century. In the atrium of the Rector’s Palace there are concerts performed because the space not only has exceptional beauty and features, it also has excellent acoustics.
2. Stradun
The famous Dubrovnik Stradun, the real name being Placa, is the favorite promenade of all its locals, especially young people, and tourists from all over the world. No one will miss the walk through Stradun, because then he would lose an unforgettable encounter with the city. It was built after the great earthquake of 1667. by the quick city renewal program, and got his calm and humble persona, and yet it is so dignified and beautiful in its simplicity of Mediterranean architecture. Before the earthquake Stradun was graced by beautiful and opulent palaces. After the earthquake, the ruined city had to think first about the continuation of life and defending the city, and all plans and projects were subordinated only to those goals. All the houses on the Plaza were built after the earthquake according to the project that was approved by the Senate of the Republic. All facades are nearly equal and of equal height, and have a similar layout, because each house must have a few shops on the ground floor. And that reflects the Republic’s spirit of shopping.
3. Dubrovnik beach Banje
Beach Banje has recently been declared one of the top 10 beaches in the world. Located at the entrance to the Old Town it offers an unsurpassed view of the city walls. Always warm and clear sea, a view of the open sea, the ancient city walls and island Lokrum are the greatest assets that attract people from all over the world to Banje. On this beach you will find a range of entertainment and recreational facilities. Banje lives from morning to night, even late into the night when it turns into one of the elite places for an exciting nightlife…
4. City walls
Dubrovnik city walls are one of the most monumental fortification monuments in Europe. Construction of the first fortifications began already in the 8th century, and the most intense building was done between the mid 15th to the end of the 16th century. They are so strong that even the large earthquake of 1667. did not cause much damage. The walls are 1940 meters long and give Dubrovnik the characteristic and remarkable appearance. The town is surrounded by an irregular polygon shape, with a Minčeta tower on the highest northwest corner of the cities land, and fortress of St. John from the sea on the south-east side. The wall in some areas is 22 m high, while the thickness of it on the mainland side is 4 to 6 m, and from the sea is 1.5 to 3 m. In addition to unforgettable vistas of the city, this tour will reveal the gorgeous scenery of the open sea in front of Dubrovnik and a view of the closer urban surroundings.
5. Listen to the song of Dubrovnik troubadours
Dubrovnik troubadours were a Croatian vocal-instrumental group founded in 1961 in Dubrovnik. They have appeared frequently in medieval and renaissance clothing, and in 1968 they performed at Eurovision.
“In the midst of silence of the sleeping beauty
A silent guitar is heard, “la musica di notte”
If you went to sleep, have a goodnight,
Fellowship with our song will come to you.
Open a window dear, and listen to our notes
Of love we will sing “la musica di notte”.
(Dubrovacki troubadours “La musica di notte”)
6. Large Onofrio Fountain
Entering the city on the Stradun (Plac), you will find a great Onofrio fountain. Designed by Onofrio della Cava of Naples, polygonal shape with 16 carved maskeron for the outpouring waters. Built in about 1400, as a symbol of the construction of the urban water supply in 1438th and supply of spring water from the the Dubrovnik river 12 km. It was damaged in an earthquake in 1667. and was never rebuilt in its original monumentality. Today the boys and girls meet up there and tourists relax while refreshing themselves with fresh water along with the Dubrovnik pigeons.
7. Troubadour Hard Jazz Café – Music Bar (the old town, Dubrovnik)
Situated in the old town (when you reach the Cathedral turn a few steps to the right). Troubadour offers a wonderful atmosphere in comfortable surroundings with a terrace overlooking the stunning historic architecture of Dubrovnik. It is a perfect place to relax and chat with great jazz music by top musicians.
8. Street Prijeko
If you take the left side of Plac along the side wall of the Franciscan church you will reach the street Prijeko parallel with Plac leads to the east side of town. On Prijeko there is a row of houses with picturesque representative portals, balconies and windows in the gothic, renaissance and baroque style. Today on Prijeko there are many restaurants with a great offer.
9. The popular coffee shop – Buza
It is located outside the city walls. Buža means a small hole in the wall and therefore the bar got its name. A small door on the wall above the Cathedral will bring you the most romantic bar in Dubrovnik. When you peep through the door of Buze, what you see in front of you will make you sigh with … aaaaaa… those are the first impressions that the view of Lokrum and open sea will cause. This is one place you must visit in Dubrovnik.
10. Fort Lovrijenac or St. Lawrence Fortress
Outside the circuit of city walls, on a 37 m high cliff rises the fortress of Fort Lawrence. It can be reached by the shores of the sea “in Pile” by climbing up a wooded path. The start of construction is recorded in 1018, although it lasted until the 16th century. At the entrance to the fort there is a Latin inscription: NON BENE PRO TOTOLIBERTAS VENDITUR AURO (Liberty is not sold for all the treasures of the world). Found at the fort is the chapel of St. Lawrence, and an inner courtyard with a cistern which is a wonderful space for theatrical performances. Today, it is a place where many dramatic works take place, and Fort Lawrence has become known worldwide as an excellent stage and the equivalent to the Danish castle Elsinor to perform Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”.