Many tourists visiting Dubrovnik in Croatia have the impression that this city is completely abstracted from the outside world. In this regard, it is often referred to as a country within a state. Today we will get acquainted with the sights of this city and find out what makes it one of the three most beautiful cities in Europe, founded during the Renaissance.
Dubrovnik today
Dubrovnik is located on the Adriatic coast and has a rich history. The successful combination of these features has led to the fact that today it is called a museum with beaches. Vouchers to Dubrovnik (Croatia) are bought by those who want to combine a cultural holiday with a beach holiday. This is the main highlight of the city in terms of tourism. In addition, Dubrovnik is a major port that plays an important role in the Croatian economy.
How to get to the city
The city is located near the border with Montenegroand is the capital of South Dalmatia. The best way to get here from the countries of the former CIS is by plane. Of course, direct communication is not established with all cities, but this is not a problem - the capital of Croatia is just an hour's flight from Dubrovnik and receives flights from a wide range of countries. As for local flights, they are carried out several times a day. The distance from the center of Dubrovnik to the airport is 22 kilometers.
Two faces
Like most ancient cities, Dubrovnik in Croatia has two parts that differ in area: the old and the new city. The first part is surrounded by fragments of an ancient wall, which have retained their grandeur to this day. Their total length today is about two kilometers. Behind the wall is a colorful 17th-century city life that you can still experience here.
The main part of the architectural ensemble of the new city was born already in the 19th century. However, here there are interesting places for tourists. Due to the fact that most of the new buildings are low-rise, they fit harmoniously into the ancient architecture of Dubrovnik. In the new city there are no bored skyscrapers and tasteless houses of sleeping areas. Everything here is beautiful, colorful, and you can even say "alive". At the same time, it is not inferior in terms of equipment and development to other European cities. Thus, having received a visa to Croatia, in Dubrovnik you can provide yourself with a wide range of vivid emotions. And we haven't talked about the sea yet.
Walls of the city fortress
The walls around Dubrovnik were built in the distant 10th century. Surprisingly, they have survived to our time almost in their original form. The height of the walls is approximately 25 meters, but the width varies in different places, reaching a maximum of 6 meters. It is noteworthy that the city fortress of Dubrovnik is not a heap of stones, but a reliable chain of towers, citadels, bastions and casemates, which are skillfully connected into one impregnable defensive system.
It is also surprising that the ancient builders were puzzled not only by the reliability of the structure, but also by its beauty. As a result, thanks to the excellent combination of lines, harmony of shapes and interesting solutions embodied in the design of the towers, the walls of the city fortress of Dubrovnik became famous all over the world.
The towers and fortresses of Dubrovnik
Tours to Croatia are always associated with visiting medieval towers and fortresses, and Dubrovnik is very popular in this regard. One of the oldest towers in the city is the Minceta tower, whose name translates as "watchdog". She owes her appearance to the brilliant architect Nicephorus Rabbi. A few centuries after the construction of the tower, it received a new look, with more elegant and rounded shapes. The building stands in this form to this day.
The key element of the ring that defends Dubrovnik is the fortress of St. Ivan. Today it houses the famous city aquarium and the Maritime Museum, rich in unique exhibits. Thus, visiting this place, you can not only get acquainted with the fortress, which repeatedly saved the city of Dubrovnik and Croatia fromenemy invasions, but also admire the inhabitants of the underwater world and human creations that allow you to conquer the sea.
The main "guardian" of the city gates is the powerful Bokar fortress. It was designed by the brilliant architect of the Renaissance, the architect Michelozzo di Bartolommeo. The Bokar Fortress, as well as the St. Ivan Fortress, is not only an architectural monument, but also a functioning platform for organizing festivals. Therefore, in the summer, you can not only admire the majestic buildings, but also watch some colorful show.
The Revelin Fortress, made in the form of an irregular square, has the largest open terrace in the city. Once this building protected the locals from the Venetian warriors.
Another interesting defensive structure is the Lovrijenac Fortress, which is located at the fork of the sea and land routes to Dubrovnik. It has thick majestic walls that still give the impression of being the safest hiding place.
Stradun Street
Many tours of Dubrovnik in Croatia start from this street. Once it was called the Platz. Today it is just the central street of the city, but in a conversation with the locals, you can still hear the old name. The origin of Stradun Street deserves special attention. Surprisingly, it was built on water. The fact is that once, at this place, a sea strait passed, which separated the island of Ragusa from the mainland. In the 11th century, the townspeople decided to expand their possessions and poured watermarble slabs. So there was a street, which soon became the main artery of the city. She retains this status to this day.
Stradun Street is full of souvenir shops, cozy restaurants, cafes and boutiques. A similar situation is observed in the adjoining streets. But the main number of tourists come to Dubrovnik and Croatia not to buy and eat, but to admire the local beauties. On Stradun Street, Onofrio's fountain and the bell tower that adorns the Franciscan monastery are considered to be such.
Puddle Square
Picturesque Puddle Square adjoins Stradun Street. She received such an unusual name not because of the increased amount of precipitation, but in honor of the city belfry located here. The belfry was built in the 15th century, and its name, in the local dialect, is translated as an open box. Indeed, it is located on a large elevated terrace. Previously, having heard the bell ringing, all the townspeople hurried to this place to make joint important decisions regarding the fate of the city, local rules, laws or decrees. Based on this fact, one can guess that the area is quite roomy.
From the point of view of architecture, the Puddle is a unique place, an ensemble of different eras (15-18 centuries) and styles. The predominant role among the various directions received baroque. Gothic follows. The buildings surrounding the square show the least renaissance.
According to the reviews of tourists, amongAmong the architectural masterpieces of the Puddle, a special place is occupied by the Sponza Palace, which was built in 1516. Now the city archive functions in the building. Attention also deserves the Church of St. Blaise, who was considered a good patron of Dubrovnik. Inside the church is a marvelous altar adorned with a silver figure of the saint, made more than 5 centuries ago by some of the most talented jewelers in Croatia.
Sights of Dubrovnik, surrounding Luzh Square, surprisingly harmonize with each other. Obviously, the architects who took on the design of the next building carefully studied the neighboring buildings and cared about the overall composition.
Churches
As the reviews show, Dubrovnik in Croatia is a place of concentration of fascinating church architecture. In addition to the temple of St. Blaise mentioned above, there are other popular places for believers in the city. The first of them is the oldest synagogue in Europe. It was founded in 1408 and for a long time was the only non-Christian sacred building. The construction of the synagogue was initiated by Jews who moved to Dubrovnik from Spain.
Next on the list of church buildings in the city is the Dominican monastery. At one time, he was responsible not only for the education of believers, but also for the safety of the city, carefully covering it from the sea. Now there is a museum in the monastery building.
At the entrance to Dubrovnik, not far from the Pile Gate, there is a Franciscan monastery. The monastery pharmacy and the miracle fountain built in15th century and named after its creator the Great Onofrio Fountain. The attention of tourists is also attracted by the courtyard of the monastery, which is remarkable not only for its picturesqueness, but also for its size.
When looking at the sights of Dubrovnik in Croatia, one cannot ignore the convent of St. Clara located in the city. Its main "highlight" is considered to be a happy stone, which romantic natures from all over the world aspire to visit. This stone is over 500 years old.
According to legend, 5 centuries ago, a local nun fell in love with a brave captain who conquered the sea, and these feelings were mutual. As punishment for the forbidden passion, both lovers were imprisoned in separate dungeons. One day Clara decided to ask the Lord for help. Having chosen a special stone in her prison, she prayed desperately next to it every day. After some time, a miracle happened, and the lovers were able not only to reunite, but also to escape safely. What happened to them next, no one knows, but the romantics are sure that everything was fine with the couple, and that very stone really has power.
Lokrum Island
The island, located just 700 meters from the mainland of the city, is famous primarily for the fact that at one time it was visited by many famous people. The beauties of Lokrum were admired by: Napoleon Bonaparte, Richard the Lionheart, Emperor of Mexico Maximilian the First and many others. The island is home to attractions such as the botanical garden, the Royal Fortress and the monastery. In addition, the attention of tourists is attracted by a small, but very beautiful lake with a frightening name Dead. And Lokrum, thanks to its clean and quiet beaches, will be of interest to fans of seaside holidays. In this regard, it is very popular, because tours to Dubrovnik and Croatia in general are not complete without a beach holiday.
Chilipi village
Everyone who wants to plunge into the national traditions of Dubrovnik, and Croatia as a whole, as well as get in touch with the local color and history, should go to the village of Cilipi. It is located very close to the southern part of the city. It is best to go here on Sunday, when the locals, dressed in national costumes, gather on the main square of the village and have fun. Such local holidays allow not only to get acquainted with national songs, dances and cuisine, but also to appreciate the hospitality of the Croats. Here you can also buy souvenirs from local needleworkers. As for gastronomy, Konavollski Dvori is considered the best restaurant in the village.
Beaches
Another tourist trump card of Dubrovnik in Croatia is the sea. Local authorities skillfully took advantage of it and made the city a popular resort. The most attractive beaches are located on the Lapad peninsula. Most of them are pebbly or concrete, but sandy ones are also found on the coast of the bay. The most famous beaches of the peninsula are Uvala and Copacabana, the coast of which is covered with a mixture of small pebbles and sand. Not only tourists, but also locals love to relax here. attention alsodeserve the beaches of the President and Neptune, located at the hotels of the same name. For the purity of sea water, they received a distinction called the Blue Flag.
Banje Beach, which is located near the historical part of Dubrovnik, is also very popular. It offers an excellent view of the city walls and the island of Lokrum. It is home to the EastWest Beach Club, a nightclub frequented by celebrities from all over the world.
Most of Dubrovnik's beaches in Croatia are equipped with sun loungers and parasols. Fans of outdoor activities can go water skiing, banana, boat or boat here. Almost all beaches are free, so they are always noisy and bustling. Those who want privacy will have to pay for a quiet holiday.
Restaurants
Speaking of holidays in Dubrovnik (Croatia), one cannot fail to mention establishments where tourists can get acquainted with local cuisine.
Let's consider the most popular of them:
- Cafe Royal. This institution is located in the center of the Old Town, in a luxurious baroque building of the 17th century. The interior of the cafe is made in a classic style, and the heraldic shields of noble local families are depicted on the ceilings. It serves local cuisine, of which vegetable soup with minerals from the Adriatic Sea is especially popular.
- Gils Restaurant. This place is considered one of the most popular in the city. It is located in a section of the city wall, which borders on the sea coast. Therefore, in addition to delicious dishes, visitorsrestaurants can enjoy the cool sea breeze and beautiful views. Gault Millau is also working here - the best chef in Croatia, under whose leadership original dishes are created, mainly French cuisine.
- Revelin restaurant. This restaurant is located in the building of the fortress, which offers an excellent view of the port of Dubrovnik. In the interior of the institution, the medieval style is perfectly combined with the modern. As the reviews show, the restaurant's extensive menu will allow even the most sophisticated gourmets to choose the right dish for themselves.
- Restaurant Pivnica Marina. It is a cozy establishment located in a picturesque area of the city. Visitors are offered a wide variety of dishes based on seafood and fish. The institution has both an indoor hall and a terrace where you can enjoy the sunset and the singing of cicadas on a warm summer evening.
- Eden Restaurant. In this establishment, guests are offered a large assortment of Croatian dishes and an equally large assortment of wines. Grilled meat with vegetables is considered a speci alty here. The interior of the restaurant is dominated by modern style, but unobtrusive classic notes are also visible.
