Dubrovnik, Croatia, known historically as Ragusa, is a well-preserved walled medieval city on the Adriatic Sea. It has been an important port city since the 7th century and became a powerful maritime republic. Dubrovnik joined the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1979 in recognition of its rich history and architecture, including Renaissance buildings that survived a devastating earthquake in 1667. The old city's impressive walls and fortifications help preserve its medieval character and attract many tourists today who walk the walls and explore sites like churches, monasteries, and palaces within.

1. Wonderful medieval city of Croatia
is the now pearl of South Dalmatia

2. In 1979 the city of Dubrovnik joined the Unesco list of World
Heritage Sites. It’s a city of about 45.000 people on the southern
coast of the Adriatic Sea and its old Venetian name was Ragusa.
It was vary wealthly port especially in the 15th and 16th
centuries.
In Croatian, and all other Slavic languages, the city is know as
Dubrovnik.

3. 1. Theory: it was founded in the 7th century by people
escaping from Slavic invasion.
2. Theory: it was founded by Greek people because it was
found a Byzantine church.

4. The importance of Dubrovnik is that it was for centuries a
city-state among powerful State:
the Republic of Venice
Hungary
Ottman Empire
From 1205 to 1358 it was controlled by Venice.From 1205 to 1358 it was controlled by Venice.

5. The Republic of Ragusa was very modern as it received the statutes
in 1272.
* Medical service was introduced in 1301
* The first pharmacy (still working) was opened in 1317
* A refuge for old people was opened in 1347
* The first quarantine hospital (Lazarete) was opened in 1377
* Slave trading was abolished in 1418
* The orphanage was opened in 1432
* The water supply system (20 kilometers) was constructed in 1436.* The water supply system (20 kilometers) was constructed in 1436.
The city was ruled by the local aristocracy.

6. As for the languages
spoken in Dubrovnik we
have two remember the
romance Dalmatian, the
Slavic Croatian and even
the venetian dialect.

7. The Republic gradually declined after a crisis of Mediterranean
shipping and especially a catastrophic earthquake in 1667.
You can see the monument after the earthquake.

8. Few of Dubrovnik's Renaissance buildings survived the earthquake
of 1667 but fortunately enough remain to give an idea of the
city's architectural heritage. The finest Renaissance highlight is
the Sponza Palace which dates from the 16th century and is
currently used to house the National Archives. The Rectors Palace
is a Gothic-Renaissance structure that displays finely-carved
capitals and an ornate staircase. It now houses a museum.
The St Saviour Church is another remnant of the Renaissance
period, next to the much-visited Franciscan Monastery.period, next to the much-visited Franciscan Monastery.

9. Dubrovnik's most beloved church is St Blaise's church, built in the
18th century in honor of Dubrovnik's patron saint. Dubrovnik's
baroque Cathedral was built in the 18th century and houses an
impressive Treasury with relics of Saint Blaise. The city's Dominican
Monastery resembles a fortress on the outside but the interior
contains an art museum and a Gothic-Romanesque church.[21] A
special treasure of the Dominican monastery is its library with over
220 incunabula, numerous illustrated manuscripts, a rich archive
with precious manuscripts and documents and an extensive art
collection.[

10. A feature of Dubrovnik is its
walls that run 2 km around
the city. The walls run from
four to six metres thick on
the landward side but are
much thinner on the
seaward side. The system of
turrets and towers were
intended to protect the
vulnerable city.vulnerable city.

12. One of the best ways to get a
feeling for Dubrovnik is to take a
2km walk around the city walls.
You can enjoy an exceptional
panorama, the natural beauty ofpanorama, the natural beauty of
the sea and the ancient city will
leave you fascinated.

13. Our next destination is the
church dedicated to St. Blaise.
The church built in the 18th
century in honor of Dubrovnik’s
patron saint.
The city's Cathedral is a Baroque
style and is one of the main
attractions of the City.

14. Straight ahead is the town's
main street, Placa or
Stradun, Dubrovnik's most
illustrious feature,punctuated
by the clock tower at the
end.
Along this wide gleamingAlong this wide gleaming
street lined with shops and
cafes, all Dubrovnik's
processions take place.
You can relax with a drink
immersed in the heart of the
city.

15. Right in front of the Pile Gate
entrance is the circular Onofrio
Fountain (named after its
Neapolitan builder) built in the
15th century and sporting 16
carved masks.carved masks.

16. Opposite is the Franciscan
Monastery with the restored
sculpture of the Pieta over the
entrance door. Inside is the
Pharmacy dating from the 14th
century and a gorgeous cloister
also from the 14th century.
Next to the monastery is the
16th-century St Saviour16th-century St Saviour
Church, one of the few
Renaissance structures to
survive the earthquake of
1667.There are often concerts
and exhibitions here.

17. A few steps away you can
admire the imposing Sponza
Palace.
You may visit the ground floor
and the Museum of the
Dubrovnik Defenders.
The Renaissance highlight you
can visit is the Rector's
Palace. It was built in the late
15th century for Dubrovnik's15th century for Dubrovnik's
ruler, the elected Rector, who
held office for one month on a
revolving basis and was not
allowed to leave during his
term. The interior has been
turned into a fascinating
museum with renovated
rooms, furnishings and art from
Dubrovnik's glorious past.

18. Across the square and marvel at
the beauty Dubrovnik's
baroque Cathedral. Built in the
18th century after an
earthquake destroyed the
original,the cathedral is still
being explored after
excavations revealed tracesexcavations revealed traces
dating back to the 7th century.
Don't miss the Treasury with its
relics from St Blaise and a
Madonna attributed to Raphael.

19. Between the Rector's Palace
and the Cathedral is Gundulic
square, scene of a morning
market and the deluxe Pucic
Palace hotel, the only luxury
hotel in the Old Town. In the
centre of town is a statue of
Dubrovnik's renowned poet
statue
Dubrovnik's renowned poet
Ivan Gundulic.
You can capture the lively
spirit of the city.

20. Our final destination is the
Ploce Gate; you'll come to the
Dominican Monastery with a
sober exterior that blends into
Dubrovnik's walls. The art
collection here centers on
Dubrovnik's finest painters,
mostly from the 15th and 16thmostly from the 15th and 16th
centuries. There's also a lovely
cloister dedicated to St
Sebastian.

21. Dubrovnik is one of the major tourist attractions around
the world, immerse yourself in local traditions and savor
the fresh taste of the city, you can enjoy a pleasant
climate and you can relax and enjoy the Croatian coast,
not only tanning but also diving in the crystal sea, fishing,
horseback riding and walking in nature.