Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a city located in the extreme south of Croatia, along the coast of the Adriatic Sea. This seaport city is also a popular tourist destination due to its rich heritage and culture.

Sights & Activities

The historic center of the city has been considered UNESCO World Heritage site and is where a large number of visitors linger. There are several impressive buildings in the city that provide insights on the country’s architectural heritage. One is the Sponza Palace, a 16th century structure built in Renaissance style and is situated along the main street called Stradun. It now houses the National Archives. Its atrium is also a popular venue for art exhibits.

Another structure, the Rectors Palace, is a combination of Gothic and Renaissance styles. Located along the street of Luža, it is presently occupied by the Cultural History Museum.

On the western end of the Stradun is the Onofrio Fountain, built in 1438. Near the fountain is the Franciscan Monastery, built near the ancient walls of the city so the original structures would be protected from possible damages brought on by war. Construction on the monastery began in 1317 and parts of it had undergone constant renovations and repairs all through the years. Its oldest part is the portal on the south wall, described to be of combined Gothic and Renaissance styles. The portal also bears the figures of Saints Jerome and John the Baptist, with the Pieta in relief represented in the lunette, over which hovers the figure of the Father Creator. Visitors are allowed to stroll along one of its two cloisters, located in the southern wing and featuring a colonnade of octagonal columns. The monastery also operates a pharmacy that was founded in 1317 and is still operational up to the present. This makes the pharmacy the third oldest in the world. Visitors are also welcome to explore its Renaissance Hall, where collections of artworks and liturgical objects are displayed. The monastery also boasts of a large number of rare books and ancient manuscripts.
A similar religious complex is located in the eastern part of the city, the Dominican monastery. This complex of buildings was established in the 13th century and is also a repository of beautiful paintings, artworks, rare books, and ancient manuscripts. It also houses the altarpiece of St. Magdalene, made by Tizian during the 16th century.

Another impressive structure in Dubrovnik is its cathedral, a Baroque structure dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady. It was constructed in the 18th century on the site of an old cathedral. Its notable highlights are the polyptych entitled ‘The Assumption of the Virgin,’ by Titian and the relics of St. Blaise.
Situated nearby is the Church of St. Blaise, a large religious structure dedicated to the patron saint of Dubrovnik. It was built in the early part of the 18th century and is of Baroque style. The church’s façade bears several sculptures made by Mario Gropelli, who also designed the church. On the main altar is the gilded silver statue of the patron saint holding an old model of the city in hands.

Weather

Dubrovnik enjoys a Mediterranean climate that is perfect for holidays and vacations. However, visitors should be aware that rain showers and thunderstorms can occur anytime in the city, even during the summer season. In the autumn and winter seasons, Dubrovnik can get uncomfortably cold due to the Bora wind blowing in from the north of the coast. Even so, it rarely dips below freezing temperature during the winter months and gets generally warmer on the onset of spring in March.