Dubrovnik is considered one of the most beautiful Croatian cities. "Pearl of the Adriatic" - that's what the locals call it. The city is located by the Adriatic Sea and boasts fabulous landscapes. And here you can find priceless historical monuments almost at every step.
A bit of history
The founders of the city were Roman refugees. Some of them settled on the island of Laus, and some on the site of modern Dubrovnik. The inhabitants of the settlements for 5 centuries were divided by the strait, which was subsequently filled up. Now in its place is Stradun - the main street of the Old Town. After the unification, the strengthening of the city walls began, which protected Dubrovnik from the sea and from the land, starting from the 10th century. The walls were built of stone and turned out to be so solid that they withstood numerous attacks more than once. They did not suffer from the earthquake that occurred in 1667. The width of the walls is impressive - 3 meters from the sea side and up to 6 meters from the mainland. The total length of the fortifications is about 2 km.
Heart of the city
The historic center of Dubrovnik is the Old Town. Looking at it, one can imagine what the medieval city-republics looked like. The image of the Old City was formed in the 17th century.
You can start your walk in the center of Dubrovnik from the fortress walls. It will lead to Onofrio's Big Fountain, from which you can quench your thirst with the purest spring water. In the fountain, which resembles a large well, it is imperative to wash your hands and make a wish, which, according to beliefs, will certainly come true. The large fountain is located near the city gate of Pile, which is the central entrance to the Old Town, and to see the Small Fountain of Onofrio, you need to go to Lodge Square, the main square of Dubrovnik. In addition to the fountain, you can see the town hall and the city belfry here. If you go to the eastern part of the city, you can visit the fortress of St. John, which houses the Maritime Museum with priceless exhibits in a rich collection. The Aquarium is also located here, in which the underwater inhabitants of the Adriatic Sea are represented.
Holy places
Dubrovnik is literally steeped in spirituality. There are Christian shrines and synagogues here. Particular attention should be paid to the Romano-Gothic Franciscan monastery. The construction began in the XIV century, and the monastery was completed after an earthquake in 1667. The building combines several styles. The southern portal is made in the Gothic style, and the galleries of the monastery combine Gothic and Romanesque styles. Once in the courtyard, you can forget what century you are in. The scent of roses drives you crazy, and the whisper of prayers creates an indescribable atmosphere of peace. It will be interesting to visit the monastery pharmacy, opened by monks back in 1317.
The next destination is the Dominican monastery with a long stone staircase leading up to it. The monastery is interesting in itself, and its highlight is additionally a museum with priceless canvases by old masters.
The cathedral of Dubrovnik attracts the eye. The authors of the project of the baroque temple are architects from Italy. The main altar of the cathedral is decorated with the "Assumption of the Virgin", which belongs to the brush of Titian.
Cultural activities
If you get to Dubrovnik in the summer, you can visit the Summer Festival - the largest cultural event in the country. At this time, the city is home to musicians, artists, artists and art lovers not only from Croatia, but also from all over Europe. The city's monuments become a kind of scenery against which theatrical performances, music concerts and dance performances take place.
