Dubrovnik is the most well preserved walled city in Europe in my opinion. I was on a graduation trip with six of my friends which included Central and Eastern Europe, and Dubrovnik was the highlight of the trip.

View of Dubrovnik City from above

Dubrovnik is an old city in the extreme south of Croatia on the Adriatic Sea coast. It is one of the most prominent tourist resorts of the Mediterranean, is nicknamed "Pearl of the Adriatic", and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

City by the Adriatic Sea

Dubrovnik used to be an independent republic, surviving mostly on trade. It managed to survive many centuries, with constant threats to its territory, particularly from the mighty Ottoman Empire and Venice. Dubrovnik is steeped in stunning architecture and sculptural detail, and boasts spectacular churches, monasteries, museums, fountains.

Red rooftop buildings of Dubrovnik

A multitude of typical towns and excursions include: the attractive town of Cavtat, Mljet Island, Korčula Island and Peljesac Peninsula. The neighboring towns of Kotor in Montenegro or Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina also make for interesting day trips.

Dubrovnik was heavily bombed by the Montenegrin Navy during the Croatian War of Independence from 1991 to 1995. Almost all of the damage has been covered over but if you look closely around the old town you can still see the damage from mortars in the cobblestone streets and bullet marks in the stone houses.

Group photo with Dubrovnik in the background

Dubrovnik Attractions

Roland's Column is a slender stone flag staff of the legendary knight. It is also known as Orlando's Column. Ever since its foundation in 1950, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival is officially opened by raising a flag on Orlando's staff.

Roland’s Column

Bell Tower is situated after the Ploče entrance to the city. On top of the tower are the famous 'Zelenci' (The Green Ones), bronze statues which strike the gigantic bell every hour. They have been recently replaced with copies and the originals are in the atrium of the Sponza Palace.

View of Bell Tower

Rector's Palace was formerly the palace of the Major Council and it now houses a museum dedicated to the city's history. The Rector`s Palace Museum is open from 9am to 6 pm and the entrance fee is 40 KN. There are artifacts, paintings and furniture dating back from the time of the Dubrovnik Republic.

The entrance of Rector’s Palace

Pile Gate is located at the beginning of Placa Stradun. It is the most convenient starting place for a stroll through the City. Buses from the main bus station in Dubrovnik drop many passengers off at Pile Gate.

Group photo at Pile Gate

Placa Stradun simply means old town and it is the central street of the city of Dubrovnik. It is the liveliest street in Dubrovnik with many souvenir shops and restaurants. During the day, tourists can explore the perpendicular streets and alleys on its sides, and during the night, take walks up and down the Stradun with an ice-cream in hand. The uniform Baroque architecture of the houses in Placa got its present-day form in the restoration of the City taking place after the disastrous earthquake in 1667, when a large number of luxurious Gothic and Renaissance palaces had been destroyed. Today, Placa is still the shopping centre and venue of major events.

Stradun in the day and night

Big Onofrio´s Fountain is located in the western entrance of the old town. The fountain stairs are a favourite meeting place of the youth, where both the tourists and pigeons take rest and refresh themselves with cool water.

Big Onofrio’s Fountain near the Pile Gate

Old City Walls is a much see attraction in Dubrovnik. Tourists will be able to walk on top of the walls around the old town, great views are guaranteed!

Old City Walls near Pile Gate

Fort Lovrijenac is a monumental fort which rises above 37 meters high rock. It changed roles in the course of history. The main purpose of its construction was defense, and the main idea was to protect the freedom of Dubrovnik.

Fort Lovrijenac in the background

Church of Saint Blaise is a baroque Church dedicated to the city's patron saint and it is located at the end of Stradun from Pile Gate.

The beautiful Church of Saint Blaise

Church of St. Ignatius is a beautiful Baroque church located on a small hill within the old city. The interior is compact and pretty, with intricate designs and sculptures.

The interior of Church of St Ignatius is quite pretty

The Treasury of Cathedral is open from 9 am to 6 pm and the entrance fee is 15 KN for the Treasury. The Treasury has 138 reliquaries which are carried around the city during the Feast of St Blaise.

View of the dome of The Treasury of Cathedral

Dubrovnik is no doubt the tourist crown jewel in Croatia and the throngs of tourists that plague the medieval walled city is evidence to it. Do visit Dubrovnik for its rich cultural heritage and its unabated beauty.

 

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