DESTINATION INFO

Dubrovnik is situated on Croatia's far south. It is the cultural, educational and economic center of Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Today's territory of the County mostly matches the territory of the former Dubrovnik Republic, which used to be very important factor in politics and economy of Europe in medieval times.

SHORT HISTORY

The history of the city probably dates back to the 7th century, when the town known as Ragusa was founded by refugees from Epidaurum (Ragusa Vecchia). It was under the protection of the Byzantine Empire and later under the sovereignty of the Republic of Venice. Between the 14th and 19th centuries, Dubrovnik ruled itself as a free state. The prosperity of the city was historically based on maritime trade; as the capital of the maritime Republic of Ragusa, it achieved a high level of development, particularly during the 15th and 16th centuries, as it became notable for its wealth and skilled diplomacy. At the same time, Dubrovnik became a cradle of Croatian literature.
The entire city was almost destroyed when a devastating earthquake hit in 1667. During the Napoleonic Wars, Dubrovnik was occupied by the French Empire forces, and then the Republic of Ragusa was abolished and incorporated into the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy and later into the Illyrian Provinces. Later on, in the early 19th to early 20th century, Dubrovnik was part of the Kingdom of Dalmatia within the Austrian Empire. Dubrovnik became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia immediately upon its creation, and it was incorporated into its Zeta Banovina in 1929, before becoming part of the Banovina of Croatia upon its creation in 1939. During World War II, it was part of the Axis puppet state Independent State of Croatia, before being reincorporated into SR Croatia in SFR Yugoslavia.
In 1991, during the Croatian War of Independence, Dubrovnik was besieged by the Yugoslav People's Army for seven months and suffered significant damage from shelling. After undergoing repair and restoration works in the 1990s and early 2000s, it re-emerged as one of the Mediterranean's top tourist destinations, as well as a popular filming location.

TOP SIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik has so many cultural sights and activities that would require a separate website to describe all of them, but we will list some of the most popular:

Dubrovnik City Walls

The most recognizable feature which defines the historic city of Dubrovnik and gives it its characteristic appearance are its well preserved walls that stretch 1940 meters all around town. This magnificent structure that is one of the strongest fortification systems in this part of the World, consist of several forts and towers. It took several centuries to build this fortification system, but today the walls are fully functional thanks to the care of local governments and people who maintain the walls all year round.

Fort Lovrijenac

Lovrijenac fort was built on a high cliff, standing almost 40 meters above the sea level, overlooking the entire Old City. Main role of Fort Lovrijenac was to defend the City from the west side, both for possible land and sea invasion.

Stradun

Stradun is the main street of Dubrovnik. The limestone-paved pedestrian street runs some 300 metres through the Old Town, the historic part of the city surrounded by the Walls of Dubrovnik.

Lokrum Island

Lokrum is an island in the Adriatic Sea 600 metres (1,969 feet) from the city of Dubrovnik. It stretches from northwest to southeast and receives regular ferry service from the city.
Austrian archduke (and short-lived Emperor of Mexico) Maximilian once had a holiday home on the island. A monastery and a botanical garden survive from his era. On the island's highest point at 96 metres (315 feet) above sea level stands Fort Royal Castle, which was built by the French during Napoleon's occupation of Croatia, though it was later named "Maximilian's Tower" by the Austrians.

Dubrovnik Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was almost completely destroyed during the earthquake in 1667. 
The Cathedral treasury (Riznica Katedrale) shows clearly the numerous connections Dubrovnik had with the main seaports in the Mediterranean Sea.
​The treasury holds 182 reliquaries holding relics from the 11th to 18th centuries; from local masters, Byzantium, Venice and the Orient. Its most important object is the gold-plated arm, leg and skull of Saint Blaise (patron saint of Dubrovnik). The head is in the shape of a crown of Byzantine emperors, adorned with precious stones and enameled medals. The treasury holds also a relic of the True Cross.

Excursions & Tours from Dubrovnik