It should come as no surprise to many that Croatia, and especially the Croatian coast, has many beautiful places. According to behealthybytomorrow, the country has been preparing for the influx of tourists who discover the country for years. This is also the case in the southern city of Dubrovnik and the port of Port Gruž. No space has been left unused within the historic city walls. A walk along the promenade will quickly give you an impression of the city. Small streets and squares provide stunning new views time and again, showing the city’s history from its most beautiful side. In the museums of Dubrovnik you can discover more details about this. Dubrovnik is pre-eminently a place where culture, art and architecture come together in a special way.
Dubrovnik ‘s Top 10 Things to Do
#1. City Walls of Dubrovnik
In order to protect the city of Dubrovnik, the first stones of the city walls were laid around the seventh century.
In the later centuries, the walls were restored and reinforced again. What we see today comes from between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries. Because the medieval city walls never suffered any serious damage from attacks or other battles, Dubrovnik’s defensive walls and fortresses are among the best-preserved fortresses in Europe. From the meters high walls you have a beautiful view over the city and the sea.
#2. Stradun
The gleaming cobbled main street of the Croatian city of Dubrovnik is Stradun. The street is also called ‘Placa’ by the locals. This part of the city is busy both during the day and in the evening. Stradun runs right through the Old Town, where it starts at a fountain and ends again at a fountain. The approximately three hundred meters long street runs from Crata od Pila to Vrata od Ploca. Beautiful seventeenth century buildings can be admired on the Stradun, in which various shops are now located.
#3. Fort Lovrijenac Fort Lovrijenac
is located in an almost magical place by the sea. The defensive fortress, also known as Dubrovnik Gibraltar, was built at a rapid pace around the eleventh century. After all, rumors were going around that the Venetians had the same idea, in the same place. Now today ‘Tvrdava Lovrijenac’ is a throwback to the past, where various events are regularly organized. However, many visitors will recognize the fortress and its surroundings from scenes from the hit HBO series ‘Games of Thrones’. After climbing the stairs you can enjoy a wide view over land and sea at the top.
#4. Dubrovnik Cathedral
The current cathedral of the city of Dubrovnik was built around the eighteenth century, after an idea of Andrea Buffalini. Construction began in 1671 and it was completed by the architect Ilija Katicic in 1713. Several archaeological excavations have shown that there have been several churches on this site. The oldest findings for this date from the seventh century. In the cathedral ‘Velika Gospa’ you can admire valuable and historical religious objects, including a painting by Raphael.
#5. Lokrum
This predominantly green island in the Adriatic Sea is excellent for a day trip. From Dubrovnik, a water taxi will take you to the Croatian island of Lokrum in about fifteen minutes. The island is ideal for swimming in the sun or visiting the Benedictine monastery from the fifteenth century. Every now and then you hear the cries of the peacocks that dwell on this island.
#6. Old Synagogue
For a small fee you can visit a small synagogue with accompanying Jewish museum in Dubrovnik. The synagogue was built between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Because there are not many Jews living in Dubrovnik these days, the synagogue is only in use on special holidays and occasions. This synagogue is considered the second oldest synagogue in Europe. The oldest is in the Czech city of Prague.
#7. Gruz
The district of Gruž is characterized by the harbor ‘Port Ombla’ and its location on the beautiful bay of Gruž. Already during the early centuries this place was a wonderful destination for winter visitors or as a summer destination. The distance from the port to the city of Dubrovnik is approximately two kilometers. Various excursions by boat and ferries leave daily from the port of Gruž to the various islands such as Sipan, Kolocep, Lopud and the city of Dubrovnik itself. There is also a daily fish, vegetable and fruit market in Gruž to visit.
#8. Franciscan
Monastery In the historic heart of the city of Dubrovnik at the beginning of the main street Placa, you can visit the ancient monastery of the Franciscans. It was built around 1360 to an idea of Mihoje Brajkov. Like many buildings in Dubrovnik, this monastery ‘Franjevacki Samostan’ suffered during the earthquake in 1667. Fortunately, much damage has been repaired to keep this part of history intact. The monastery also houses one of the oldest apothecaries in Europe and a library with very valuable Croatian literature.
#9. Sponza Palace
The very well-preserved palace of the city of Dubrovnik even survived the earthquake of the seventeenth century without damage. The design is in the name of the influential architect Paskoje. The palace served for a long time as a customs office where goods were imported. It was also an important meeting place for traders. Today in the Sponza Palace ‘Palaca Sponza’ valuable documents are stored in the archives. The square in front of the palace is often the setting for festivities such as the Dubrovnik Summer Festival.
#10. Rector
‘s Palace Another palace in Dubrovnik is the Rector’s Palace ‘Knežev dvor’ from the fifteenth century. In the meantime, various Baroque and Renaissance-style parts can be seen in the original Gothic palace. After several damage and a devastating earthquake, several elements have been refurbished and adapted. The last major changes took place around the seventeenth century, under the leadership of the wealthy sailor Miho Pracat. Today the Rector’s Palace belongs to the Dubrovnik Museum. In this cultural-historical museum you will mainly find old art, furniture, weapons, uniforms and a coin collection.
