Dubrovnik Things to Do Tips by acemj

Dubrovnik's Old Town is amazing. I took this picture from the thick and sturdy city walls that surround the ancient streets inside. The dome in the foreground is that of St. Blaise's Church and behind is the taller dome of the Cathedral of Dubrovnik. I walked around the interior and for the most part, was not blown away. It's a simple structure that is sturdy like the walls that surround it and it becomes more and more majestic when viewed from a greater distance.

The Baroque structure was originally designed in 1672 and finally completed in 1731. Though it has not been proven, it is said that the original church that stood here was destroyed in an earthquake in 1667 and was funded by Richard the Lionheart who is said to have been shipwrecked near here after the Third Crusade.

Leave a Comment

Directions: Old Town

The Old Town's main street runs right down its heart from the Pile Gate entrance on the western end to the Ploce Gate access on the east side. Along the way, the beautiful, wide pathway is lined with shops that share a strikingly uniform design as a result of historic preservation efforts. As you walk along the street, you'll notice that the constant foot traffic has buffed the limestone beneath your feet to a smooth finish.

I was here in February and even at this cooler time of year, cafes were doing a steady business during the daylight hours. In the summer, the foot traffic is significantly heavier and free tables are harder to come by at the many cafes.

Leave a Comment

I've heard that these walls are the best intact ancient walls in the world. When you arrive into the Old Town by way of the Pile Gate, the tickets to scale the wall can be purchased about a third of the way up the stairs on your left. As of February of 2004, it was 15kn to walk around the 2 kilometers of walls. In my opinion, that's a bargain for the spectacular views this affords. The only problem for me was that in the winter months, the walls close at 3 pm and as a result, I was unable to scale them during the best time of day for getting the perfect light for photos.

If you start by heading toward the higher side of the walls, the first corner you come to will be the Minceta Fortress. As the highest point, the views over the Old Town are breathtaking from here. On the opposite end, you'll have to leave the walls and return to ground level as you walk around the Ploce Gate. You rejoin the walls by finding the St. John's Fortress. With a ticket, you can choose to return to the walls later as long as it is on the same day that the ticket was purchased.

In the summer months, the walls are open from 9 am to 7:30 pm, but only from 10-3 in the winter.

Leave a Comment

As I said in my previous tip, the Minceta Fortress marks the highest point along the walls. The watchtower was begun in 1455 (parts of the walls date back to as early as the 10th century) by a Florentine architect Michelozzo Michelozzi (what kind of name is that? Is that like Mike Michael?) and was completed by Juraj Dalmatinac (George the Dalmation, the best stonemason of his time who was born in Zadar, Croatia).

Leave a Comment

As you walk the long stretch of wall from the Minceta Fortress to the northeast corner, you'll come upon this beautiful sight. The tower of the church at the Dominican Monastery rises sublimely above the backdrop of blue water in the Old Port. The monastery itself was begun in 1301 and includes a museum that has some interesting religious art from Dubrovnik (for a small entry fee).

Leave a Comment

Directions: Old Town
Website: dubrovnik.laus.hr/dubrovnik1/html/ body_dominician_monastery.html

The Dominican Monastery's Gothic Renaissance monastery dates to the fifteenth century and is a great spot. I love cloisters for their balance, architectural detail and the serenity that they seem to convey. This one is especially nice because of the palm and orange trees that give it a less staid and stolid feeling and make it more relaxing, as if the palm branches were almost wrapping you in an embrace.

Leave a Comment

The city's main square is known as Luza and is always alive with people milling about visiting the attractions at this end of Stradun and relaxing at the many outdoor cafes located here. The Sponza Palace, St. Blaise's Church and the Rector's Palace are all located here and in the middle of the square you'll find Orlando's Column, pictured here. The carved column was once a rallying point for the city and a monument to freedom. It dates to 1418 and even to this day is revered. Atop the carving of Orlando (a cult figure who was considered the savior of the city in historic battles) flies a flag representing liberty. The figure of Orlando's right arm was once the standard measurement of the Republic (known as the Ragusan cubit) and if you look at the base of the column, you'll notice a line of the same length cut into the stone.

Leave a Comment

Also in Luza Square, you'll find this smooth faced bell-tower that dates to the fifteenth century. The clock facing the square bears a resemblance to a sundial and yes, it does actually keep time.

Leave a Comment

The Renaissance palace in Luza Square was started in the early 16th century by Paskoje Milicevic, who was the chief architect of the Republic. The most striking characteristic is the facade accented by its Gothic Venetian windows.

The palace originally acted as a custom house where goods from all over the world were brought by tradesmen and custom duties were collected. Another wing of the house was for the city mint. Today it houses the city archive and can be visited during the morning and evening hours.

Leave a Comment

The Siege of Dubrovnik began in November of 1991 and lasted until May of '92. Fortunately for visitors to the city, the extensive damage that was done, is largely unnoticeable today. After the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, forces of the Yugoslav People's Army pushed into southern Dalmation and began bombarding Dubrovnik in an attempt to crush Croatian morale. It didn't work.

There is a small exhibit at the far end of the courtyard inside the Sponza Palace (Luza Square) that pays tribute to the heroes of the fighting during the city. Today they are referred to as the defenders of the city and a visit to this exhibit will likely move you emotionally.

Leave a Comment