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Dubrovnik
The now peaceful town of Dubrovnik has witnessed occupation from a variety of European colonial powers in it's turbulent history, which today affords the town a richly colourful culture and history amongst the natural beauty of the enchanting lakes, lush landscapes, white pebble beaches and crystalline seas. Political upheaval has seldom kept tourists away from this uniquely lovely Adriatic port city; for centuries it has drawn those seeking fine accommodations, excellent cuisine, beautiful surroundings and recreational opportunities. George Bernard Shaw is quoted as describing Dubrovnik as 'heaven on earth'. The old town, dating from the 7th century, is on Unesco's list of World Heritage Sites. Enclosed by city walls built in the 12th century, the buildings of the town represent a cross-section of medieval architectural styles and remain well preserved. The centre of the town is the Stradun, its main street, which was originally a channel separating an island from the mainland, and was filled in to join two opposite towns into the merged city of Dubrovnik. The main tourist area lies southeast of the old town at Ploce, where most hotels and the best beaches can be found. There are numerous churches, monasteries and museums to explore and the coastal belt is awash with marinas, piers and promenades.
Franciscan Monastery
Protected behind the ancient walls of medieval Dubrovnik is a fourteenth century Franciscan monastery and church containing ancient manuscripts and relics in an enchanting reading room. The research library has been utilised by many famous writers and historians, including Croatian literary scholars. The original library of the monastery was destroyed by fire after an earthquake in 1667, and the present collection was put together in the early 19th century by a Franciscan friar, Inocentije Culic, who energetically worked to save the manuscripts of several monasteries that were closed down during the French occupation of the city. The friar donated hundreds of manuscripts and valuable printed works to the library, leaving the city of Dubrovnik a treasure house of learning and literature. Also at the Franciscan Monastery is a fascinating pharmacy museum, which preserves the relics of the medieval pharmacy that was run in the monastery as far back as 1317.
Address: Placa 2; Telephone: (20) 321 410; Opening time: 9am to 6pm daily; Admission: K6 (adults), K4 (children)
City Walls
Thirteenth century walls surround the ancient city of Dubrovnik, which tower impressively around the city and took over two centuries to complete. Today they stand proudly with five bastions; three round towers and 12 square towers, and provide a popular diversion for visitors wishing to explore their 6,365ft (1,940m) length.
Address: Sv Dominika 3; Telephone: 425 942; Opening time: 9am and 2pm daily
Marin Drzic’s House
The Marin Drzic’s House is a museum in the Dubrovnik home of the Croatian literary genius, where guided tours about the author Marin Drzic and his life and works are presented in a forty-minute tour. The presentation is also a good introduction for visitors to the history and culture of Dubrovnik itself.
Address: Široka ulica 7; Telephone: 420 490; Opening time: 9am to 2pm, closed Sundays. The presentation is shown to groups of 15 at a time
Cathedral Treasury
Three cathedrals rebuilt on the same site, have endowed the Dubrovnik Cathedral Treasury with hundreds of relics dating back to the first Byzantine cathedral in the 7th century, through to the second Romanesque cathedral (which was demolished by a seventeenth century earthquake) to the current Baroque building dating back to 1713. The treasury of the cathedral is rich in religious relics, icons, paintings and other items of value. It is also possible to view the archaeological excavations that continue on the cathedral site.
Address: Kneza Damjana Jude 1; Telephone: 411 715; Opening time: Weekdays 9am to 12pm, and 3pm to 7pm
Dubrovnik Riviera
The quiet bay of Zanton is located eleven miles from the road to Split and is home to some enchanting sandy beaches and lush pine forests, also close to Dubrovnik there are an array of quaint village and picturesque resorts worthy of exploration. The town has numerous restaurants, a relic of the days when it was the chosen retreat for the aristocrats of the Dubrovnik Republic. The village of Tristeno features the 'Arboretum', a Gothic-Renaissance park on the coast, which is currently undergoing restoration. In the centre of this village visitors are awed by two gigantic sycamore trees, reputedly 500 years old, standing 197ft (60m) high. Even closer to the city the towns of Kupari, Srebreno, Mlini, Soline and Plat lie along a chain of hills descending to the rim of Zupa Bay, known as one of the most beautiful resorts on the Dubrovnik Riviera, with modern hotels offering a variety of water sports.
Franciscan Monastery
Protected behind the ancient walls of medieval Dubrovnik is a fourteenth century Franciscan monastery and church containing ancient manuscripts and relics in an enchanting reading room. The research library has been utilised by many famous writers and historians, including Croatian literary scholars. The original library of the monastery was destroyed by fire after an earthquake in 1667, and the present collection was put together in the early 19th century by a Franciscan friar, Inocentije Culic, who energetically worked to save the manuscripts of several monasteries that were closed down during the French occupation of the city. The friar donated hundreds of manuscripts and valuable printed works to the library, leaving the city of Dubrovnik a treasure house of learning and literature. Also at the Franciscan Monastery is a fascinating pharmacy museum, which preserves the relics of the medieval pharmacy that was run in the monastery as far back as 1317.
Address: Placa 2; Telephone: (20) 321 410; Opening time: 9am to 6pm daily; Admission: K6 (adults), K4 (children)
City Walls
Thirteenth century walls surround the ancient city of Dubrovnik, which tower impressively around the city and took over two centuries to complete. Today they stand proudly with five bastions; three round towers and 12 square towers, and provide a popular diversion for visitors wishing to explore their 6,365ft (1,940m) length.
Address: Sv Dominika 3; Telephone: 425 942; Opening time: 9am and 2pm daily
Marin Drzic’s House
The Marin Drzic’s House is a museum in the Dubrovnik home of the Croatian literary genius, where guided tours about the author Marin Drzic and his life and works are presented in a forty-minute tour. The presentation is also a good introduction for visitors to the history and culture of Dubrovnik itself.
Address: Široka ulica 7; Telephone: 420 490; Opening time: 9am to 2pm, closed Sundays. The presentation is shown to groups of 15 at a time
Cathedral Treasury
Three cathedrals rebuilt on the same site, have endowed the Dubrovnik Cathedral Treasury with hundreds of relics dating back to the first Byzantine cathedral in the 7th century, through to the second Romanesque cathedral (which was demolished by a seventeenth century earthquake) to the current Baroque building dating back to 1713. The treasury of the cathedral is rich in religious relics, icons, paintings and other items of value. It is also possible to view the archaeological excavations that continue on the cathedral site.
Address: Kneza Damjana Jude 1; Telephone: 411 715; Opening time: Weekdays 9am to 12pm, and 3pm to 7pm
Dubrovnik Riviera
The quiet bay of Zanton is located eleven miles from the road to Split and is home to some enchanting sandy beaches and lush pine forests, also close to Dubrovnik there are an array of quaint village and picturesque resorts worthy of exploration. The town has numerous restaurants, a relic of the days when it was the chosen retreat for the aristocrats of the Dubrovnik Republic. The village of Tristeno features the 'Arboretum', a Gothic-Renaissance park on the coast, which is currently undergoing restoration. In the centre of this village visitors are awed by two gigantic sycamore trees, reputedly 500 years old, standing 197ft (60m) high. Even closer to the city the towns of Kupari, Srebreno, Mlini, Soline and Plat lie along a chain of hills descending to the rim of Zupa Bay, known as one of the most beautiful resorts on the Dubrovnik Riviera, with modern hotels offering a variety of water sports.
