city walls, forts and bridge
Lonely Planet
After Rome fell, Dubrovnik was ruled by the Byzantine Empire. The city was planned in 1292, when the port was rebuilt after a fire. The elegant limestone-paved Stradun-main street has beautiful late-Renaissance houses. The ground levels had shop fronts under a semi-circular arch, while the upper floors were living spaces. Except for the Stradun, the old city is a maze of picturesque narrow and twisting streets, so no cars are allowed in. In the C9th-C12th Dubrovnik defended itself against foreign powers, and in 1205-1358 era it acknowledged Venetian suzerainty, though it retained independence.
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When Dalmatia was sold to Venice in 1420, Dubrovnik largely remained a free city. For centuries citizens were able to preserve their city-republic by skilful manoeuvring between East and West. A treaty with Turkey extended Dubrovnik’s liberty and maintained a major trading role between the Ottoman Empire and Europe. In C16th Dubrovnik traded with India, and gave ships to Spain for Armada invasion of England (1588).
Two C14th convents stand at the ends of the city; the Dominican Monastery was founded in 1225, dominating the Eastern corner. The cloisters and courtyard in this Gothic-style monastery were built to be solid and defensive. There's also a museum containing a wide collection of art and artefacts, including outstanding C15th-C16th paintings.
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The Franciscan Monastery guarded the western gate. Passing through the Pile Gate, see St Saviors Church then a small walkway leading to the Franciscan monastery’s museum. Its library has 70,000+ books and the pharmacy is one of the oldest functioning one anywhere. Construction started in 1317 and the Monastery in 1360, all of which has been rebuilt and repaired after wars and earthquakes, creating a Gothic Baroque complex. The Bell tower can be seen all over the Old City.
The Rector’s Palace, built in the late Gothic style in the C15th, was the Republic’s seat of government and is still an architectural treasure. Other notable sites include fortresses, a 16-sided fountain and a C15th bell tower.![]()
The Jewish synagogue is one of the oldest in Europe, formally inaugurated in 1546. Baroque style decoration was completed in 1652 and is still intact, although partition separating the women’s gallery was added later In the central hall, the wall has 3 arches, which divides the fenced Bimah. The Ark holds Torah scrolls which came with the exiles from Spain. On the steps leading to the Ark is a C13th Moorish carpet, given to a Jewish doctor by Spanish Queen Isabella. The ceiling has stucco reliefs, sky blue with golden stars and C19th chandeliers.
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Stroll Old Town/Stari Grad’s streets with a guide, learning the secrets behind palaces and plazas, cloisters and cathedrals. Go on the tour from the clock tower to the Assumption Cathedral, traversing the entire Old Town while discovering history. Visit the Catholic Cathedral of the Assumption’s Baroque architecture.
The city walls are Dubrovnik’s most iconic sight, the pride of the city. Erected by the C16th and running c1,940 ms in length, they encircled most of the Old City and reached c25 ms high. Within the walls lie towers, forts and historic monuments. Beyond the walls are villas and gardens.On the walk around them, get spectacular views of the glistening Adriatic Sea and the charming Old Town, with its bright terracotta rooftops.
Linking together the city’s many medieval towers and forts, the walls were 6 ms thick and 25 ms tall. Minčeta Fortress was built in 1319 with the largest protective towers, dominating the city’s landscape. Located on the north side of the Old Town, the magnificent historic stronghold is the highest point in the city. In Pile Square, stop at Onofrio's Fountain, a drinking fountain connected by aqueduct to a spring 12 km from town, carrying drinking water. ![]()
Explore the breath-taking coastline in a guided tour to discover the best coastal spots in a special 3-hour sunset tour. Paddle beneath the city walls, explore caves and watch the sun set into the Adriatic. Lokrum Island is famous for gardens and orange groves, a fortress and monastery. Banje Beach is a beautiful beach. The Cable Car starts just outside the Old Town, used for an incredible ride to the peak of the city on Mount Srđ.
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English King Richard I Lionheart had landed on Lokrum Island on his return from the Crusades and via treaties and tributes, it enlarged its territory along the Dalmatian coast. In 1272 the city’s statute incorporated Roman and local practices. Situated on overland trade routes to Byzantium and the Danube, it became a great mercantile power.
limestone-paved Stradun
Dubrovnik Times
When Dalmatia was sold to Venice in 1420, Dubrovnik largely remained a free city. For centuries citizens were able to preserve their city-republic by skilful manoeuvring between East and West. A treaty with Turkey extended Dubrovnik’s liberty and maintained a major trading role between the Ottoman Empire and Europe. In C16th Dubrovnik traded with India, and gave ships to Spain for Armada invasion of England (1588).
Two C14th convents stand at the ends of the city; the Dominican Monastery was founded in 1225, dominating the Eastern corner. The cloisters and courtyard in this Gothic-style monastery were built to be solid and defensive. There's also a museum containing a wide collection of art and artefacts, including outstanding C15th-C16th paintings.
Dominican Monastery
Times of India
The Franciscan Monastery guarded the western gate. Passing through the Pile Gate, see St Saviors Church then a small walkway leading to the Franciscan monastery’s museum. Its library has 70,000+ books and the pharmacy is one of the oldest functioning one anywhere. Construction started in 1317 and the Monastery in 1360, all of which has been rebuilt and repaired after wars and earthquakes, creating a Gothic Baroque complex. The Bell tower can be seen all over the Old City.
The Rector’s Palace, built in the late Gothic style in the C15th, was the Republic’s seat of government and is still an architectural treasure. Other notable sites include fortresses, a 16-sided fountain and a C15th bell tower.
Rector's Palace
now the Dubrovnik Cultural History Museum
You Tube
The Jewish synagogue is one of the oldest in Europe, formally inaugurated in 1546. Baroque style decoration was completed in 1652 and is still intact, although partition separating the women’s gallery was added later In the central hall, the wall has 3 arches, which divides the fenced Bimah. The Ark holds Torah scrolls which came with the exiles from Spain. On the steps leading to the Ark is a C13th Moorish carpet, given to a Jewish doctor by Spanish Queen Isabella. The ceiling has stucco reliefs, sky blue with golden stars and C19th chandeliers.
Sefardi Synagogue
Dubrovnik Guide
A flourishing of art and literature in C15th–17th continued. But in 1667 an earthquake destroyed parts of the city, including the cathedral and many monasteries and palaces, and killed c5,000 residents. The republic did not regain prosperity until the Napoleonic Wars. From 1800-5, it was a neutral Mediterranean state until Napoleon I conquered it in 1808. The Congress of Vienna 1815 gave Dubrovnik to Austria and in 1918 it was incorporated into Yugoslavia. Many historic sites were damaged in 1991–2 in Croatia’s independence struggle, but since restored
The Museum of Dubrovnik, in the Rector’s Palace, contains extensive collections of furniture and uniforms, inventory of Dubrovnik’s C14th pharmacy, embroideries and jewellery. The Maritime Museum, established in 1941 in a former fortress, chronicles the seafaring past. The Dubrovnik State Archives, with manuscripts in many languages and some 800 years old, are located in the Renaissance Sponza Palace. There are also theatrical museums, and festivals of theatre and music.
The Museum of Dubrovnik, in the Rector’s Palace, contains extensive collections of furniture and uniforms, inventory of Dubrovnik’s C14th pharmacy, embroideries and jewellery. The Maritime Museum, established in 1941 in a former fortress, chronicles the seafaring past. The Dubrovnik State Archives, with manuscripts in many languages and some 800 years old, are located in the Renaissance Sponza Palace. There are also theatrical museums, and festivals of theatre and music.
Small boat harbour
Westend61
Stroll Old Town/Stari Grad’s streets with a guide, learning the secrets behind palaces and plazas, cloisters and cathedrals. Go on the tour from the clock tower to the Assumption Cathedral, traversing the entire Old Town while discovering history. Visit the Catholic Cathedral of the Assumption’s Baroque architecture.
The city walls are Dubrovnik’s most iconic sight, the pride of the city. Erected by the C16th and running c1,940 ms in length, they encircled most of the Old City and reached c25 ms high. Within the walls lie towers, forts and historic monuments. Beyond the walls are villas and gardens.On the walk around them, get spectacular views of the glistening Adriatic Sea and the charming Old Town, with its bright terracotta rooftops.
Linking together the city’s many medieval towers and forts, the walls were 6 ms thick and 25 ms tall. Minčeta Fortress was built in 1319 with the largest protective towers, dominating the city’s landscape. Located on the north side of the Old Town, the magnificent historic stronghold is the highest point in the city. In Pile Square, stop at Onofrio's Fountain, a drinking fountain connected by aqueduct to a spring 12 km from town, carrying drinking water.
Cable car, over city walls.
Free City Guides
Explore the breath-taking coastline in a guided tour to discover the best coastal spots in a special 3-hour sunset tour. Paddle beneath the city walls, explore caves and watch the sun set into the Adriatic. Lokrum Island is famous for gardens and orange groves, a fortress and monastery. Banje Beach is a beautiful beach. The Cable Car starts just outside the Old Town, used for an incredible ride to the peak of the city on Mount Srđ.
Dubrovnik on the Adriatic Coast
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