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South Dalmatia Guide
If
Croatia is the ‘Jewel of the Adriatic,’ Dubrovnik is the pearl – a
magical city steeped in history and culture.
Even before landing at Dubrovnik Airport, you will be captivated by the scenery from the air. The beautiful Elafiti Islands appear, hugging the shore of Southern Dalmatia and set in the deep azure of the Adriatic. The spectacular view of Dubrovnik’s Old City hints at the glories and delights to be found in its labyrinthine streets – its opulent palaces, ancient monasteries and churches, the galleries and shops, the elegant collonades and piazzas.
Dating back to the thirteenth century and listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Dubrovnik is famous for its cultural and historical legacy: and it is a remarkable history. Its status as an independent, merchant republic lasted for 700 years until it was finally abolished by Napoleon in 1806. Supported by its wealth and skilled diplomacy, it traded with Turkey and India in the East (with a consul in Goa, India) and had trade representatives in Africa (Cape Verde Islands) and conducted diplomatic relations with the English court in the 15th and 16th centuries, finally becoming the only Eastern Adriatic city state to rival the wealth and power of Venice.
Founded in the 7th century, the old town was completed in the 13th century and remains virtually unchanged. Tall ramparts surround it and there are only two entrances to the old town. The Pile Gate pierces the ancient city walls and leads to the Stradun, the favourite promenade of Dubronvik’s citizens. Follow this to discover the beautiful Onofino Fountain, dating from 1498.
Taking a guided tour is an excellent way to understand the city’s rich history, and an accompanied walk on the walls will pinpoint the roof-tops of its most glorious sites: the fourteenth century Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy Museum, the Gothic-Renaissance Rector’s Palace, the Baroque Church of St. Blaise, the Treasury, the Sponza Palace... Of course, it is also possible to discover these treasures independently, traversing the medieval streets, being delighted and surprised by what lies around every corner.
If daytime is for sightseeing, evenings in the Old City are an opportunity to simply enjoy its unique ambience. Dubrovnik has a nightlife to suit all tastes, sedate, relaxed and up-beat. A stroll through its maze of tiny streets will reveal hidden restaurants offering excellent food and wine (see also our recommendations under Places to Eat on the following pages).
After dinner, you could visit Trubadur (near Gundulic Square), where the jazz-loving proprietor fulfils his passion for the genre with a continuously changing programme of performers. Labirint, with its casino, restaurant and music is another lively and popular nightspot, or you could make for Latino Club Fuego, situated just outside the Pile Gate. Just remember that the buses stop running at about 2.30am!
During high season, take a late night walk down to the main beach just outside of the city’s southern wall to find Croatia’s own version of a beach party – champagne corks pop and cocktails flow! If you are looking for this type of night life, we recommend that you ask our local representative to discover the best of what’s on – and when.
Inhabitants of Dubrovnik often proudly quote the Irish playwright and man of letters, George Bernard Shaw, who visited the city in 1929: “If you want to see heaven on earth, come to Dubrovnik.”
We couldn’t agree more.