Travel Guide to Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is a pearl of the Adriatic Sea, the city famous for its amazingly beautiful nature and the Mediterranean atmosphere. Dubrovnik Riviera is the south region of Dalmatia. The tempting sea, small picturesque places with outstanding hoses with terracotta roofs, green islands located along the coast – all this you can see, if you'll go to Dubrovnik.

Founded in the 7th century and now it has the population of 50 000 people Dubrovnik can surely be called one of the most fascinating cities of Croatia. Due to the authentic center Dubrovnik was put in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. In the Middle Ages Dubrovnik was one of the most famous economical and cultural centers of the whole Mediterranean region. This port city was especially popular with artists, writers and poets. Nowadays tourists can find there a unique open-air so-called museum with a lot of towers, churches, palaces and monuments.

The ancient part of the city – Gradske Zidine. The whole historical center of the city is a pedestrian zone, which is located on an enormous rock over the sea with the 2-kilometer wall around. If you want, you can get upstairs and enjoy the baroque beauty of the city from the birds' eye view. The ancient walls (Gradske Zidine) are the symbol of Dubrovnik. They were built in the 10th century and later, in the 13th century, they were completed. In its creation took part such well-know architects as Michelozzo and Ferramolino. The whole length of the walls comes to 940m, the height – 25m, the thickness – 6m. More than that, the walls are fortified with ten semicircular bastions.

All the sights in the historical center are situated on several square meters. The main street, Stradun Street (its former name is Placa) is extremely cozy and fascinating market street, surrounded by plenty of small paved with marble streets, along which you can walk for hours. Stradun Street leads to the historical center of the city and crosses Dubrovnik from the east to the west. The street was created in the 2th century after the channel, that separated the island and the land was dried and filled up. Nowadays you will find there a lot of eye-catching bars and cafes. It's forbidden to drive into the area inside the walls, which surely disposes to having a walk.

Loza Square. The central square of Dubrovnik is Loza Square, the traditional place for meetings. From the Dubrovnik port, located in front of the coast, regularly numerous boats go. Lovers of lazing on a beach will find there wonderful nature beaches and pure sea water.

The Pile City Gate (Gradska Vrata Pile). The Pile Gate is the main entrance into the ancient part of the city. They were built in 1537 and served as a grave defensive installation. In the arcade bay, which is built in Renaissance style, you'll see the sculpture of St Blasius, the protector of Dubrovnik.

The Onofrio Fountain. To the right from the Pile Gate at a small square takes place the Big Onofrio Fountain. It was built in 1438 by Neapolitan architect Onofrio de la Kavi, who also projected the city waterworks. The fountain is one of the most well-known monuments in the city. Primordially it was decorated with the sculpture that, unfortunately, was ruined during the earthquake of 1667. Only 16 stone masks left, through which the water runs.

The first building to the left from Placa is The St Savior Church. Not far from it you'll see the world-famous Franciscan Monastery, which was built in 1317-1417. After the earthquake of 1667 they had to make a total reconstruction of the monastery. The only detail that left untouched was the south door, decorated in the Venetian gothic style. Just over the entrance the sculpture 'Madonna Pieta' by Ivan Meshtrovich is located.

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Velika Gospa). The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Velika Gospa) is situated in front of Rector's Palace. The first variant of the church was destroyed during the earthquake of 1667. The building works of the new baroque-style building were finished only in 1716. There is an opportunity to visit the treasure-house, where you can look at the shrine with the relics of St Blasius, 138 golden and silver ware of the 11th and the 17th centuries. In the cathedral you can also see the shutters 'The Ascension of the Virgin', made in Titian's atelier; the guides claim that it was created by him.

Dubrovnik Riviera can boast of the typical soft Mediterranean climate with mild, humid winter and dry, hot and sunny summer. In summer the temperature of air is about 25oC, and the water temperature is 210C. Usually in May there is rather warm, the temperature is above 200C, that's why the best time for having a holiday in Dubrovnik is from May to October.

Read more about Dubrovnik:
Restaurants and cuisine in Dubrovnik
'Must visit' places in Dubrovnik
Nightlife and attractions in Dubrovnik
Preparing for Dubrovnik: Advices
Dubrovnik photogallery