City of Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik – it’s been called the ‘jewel of the eastern Adriatic’, and that is no overstatment – Dubrovnik is unique and one of the world’s ‘must see’ cities.

One of the most important and influential settlements in Europe throughout the second millennium, old Dubrovnik dates almost exclusively form after the earthquake of 1667, when the medieval town was consumen by the post-quake fire. Much of the domestic architecture is quite austere when compared to Hvar or Korčula towns; the houses combine, however, to columnes demmonstrate stunning precisions. Today the palace houses the Dubrovnik Museum, which has a range of artefacts including paintings, furniture, coins from the mint and thousands of other item, large and small, help you bouild a picture of the city.

Ehere the Rector’s Palace upheld political power, Palaca sponza, (Sponza Palace) allows us to delve into the economic mechinations of Dubrovnik.

Built between 1516 and 1522 in late Gothic-early Renaissance style, this place was originally the Customs house, then became the city Mint. Today it houses Povijesni arhiv ( The state history archives). The archive contain one of the most complete records of trading, real estate, and monetary life in Europe. Official documents cover all eras except for those lost in the earthquake.

Other relics speak of more mundane yet still vital aspects of daily life in Dubrovnik. Velika Onofrijeva Fontana (Big Onofrio’s Fountain), just inside the Pile Gate, opened in 1438 as part of a huge public undertaking to provide fresh water and more sanitary conditions. Designed by della cave, it is both beautiful and practical. At the harbour end of the Stradun is the smaller Mala Onofrijeva Fontana (Small Onofriio’s Fountain) of the same year.

Beyond fort revelin was another important building related to health. The Lazarreti (Quarantine) was build to house those who wished to enter the town. There they were kept until they were deemed to be free of disease. It is one of the earliest of its kind; building begane in 1377.