The world is an amazing place by all means and there are countless places that awe and inspire travelers, some of them truly unique and unforgettable. One of these places that will always have a special place in my heart is the medieval city of Dubrovnik, located on the Adriatic Sea coast of Croatia. An architectural and historical gem, this walled old city has revealed a unique and fascinating world to me, that of a city managing to retain a lively liaison between past and present, between the traditional and the modern side, everything on the backdrop of a charming landscape, between the crystal blue waters of the Adriatic and the scorched cliffs and green forests of the shore.
The renowned Pearl of the Adriatic is located in the southern tip of the Croatian shoreline, close to the border with Montenegro, this city has long and troubled, but sometimes glorious past, linked to the maritime commerce and diplomacy through the 15th and 16th centuries. Today, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Old City of Dubrovnik is regarded as one of the top medieval walled cities to visit in the whole world, with a wide variety of things to see and to do.
Upon setting my eyes for the first time on the tiny fortified peninsula which represents the old centre, surrounded by the blue waters of the Adriatic on a hot summer day, I felt like entering another world, one of legends and myths, with castles and knights. This truly is a location to remind us of the old days, a true symbol for the medieval times. In such a small territory, many treasures can be found, marvelous historical, architectural, cultural and religious landmarks that make any visit to Dubrovnik truly enchanting and sometimes resembling a veritable history lesson.
The main feature that can be observed from afar are the old City Walls, circling the small medieval city on the peninsula for almost 2 km. Unfortunately, many of the magnificent buildings dating from the Renaissance have been destroyed by the 1667 earthquake, but enough remain to give an impression on the beautiful streets of the Old City back then. There is an incredible amount of places to see in the city of Dubrovnik, almost every building and rock telling a story. Apart from the city center that can surely be discovered on foot, there are also a few other places further inland that are worth a visit or two.
It is hard to manage to visit everything that Dubrovnik has to offer, but at least the Old City, inside the fortified walls, should be discovered fully. There are many old buildings here, starting with the houses and mansions, continuing with the old churches and palaces. The most important landmarks include the City Halls, now known as the Rector Palace, dating back to the 11th century, exhibiting an impressive architecture and housing an important historical museum about the past of Dubrovnik; the Sponza Palace build in the 16th century in a beautiful Gothic-Renaissance style; the Placa or Stradun is the main street in the old city and exhibits exquisite Baroque residences and small shops; St. John’s Fort protecting the city harbor.
Other sights include the massive Minceta Fort protecting the city from the northwestern part; the Major Council Palace, the Bokar Fort and many others. Some protect interesting and important museums, such as Maritime Museum, Franciscan Monastery Museum, Dominican Monastery Museum, Natural Science Museum and others. The most important religious monuments include the majestic Cathedral, the beautiful Church of St. Blaise, as well as a good number of monasteries and smaller churches. A good way to overlook the city is from the nearby hill, offering a breathtaking panorama.
Best Accommodation in Dubrovnik
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Cover Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash
