Sightseeing in Cavtat - what to see. Complete travel guide

In this city even stones are impregnated with the spirit of history. There is no wonder for that as Cavtat, after all, has been famous since antique times as Epidaurus, an ancient Greek colony. Even nowadays tourists can see a part of the aqueduct that connects the ancient Epidaurus with the village named Vodovadia that has been supplying the city with water. Starting from 1426 the city has become a part of Dubrovnik Republic. Today you still can see the buildings of those times that perfectly combine the Renaissance style with the elements of Gothic architecture. First of all, we should mention the monastic complex and Kostel P. Marie Sněžné and Church of St. Nicholas, which is used to exhibit the works of Vlaho Buhovac. The collection of works is also assembled in the memorial house of the artist. Of course, we cannot fail to ignore the unique collection of art gathered by Balthazar Bogisic. The collection includes 22,000 rare books, a collection of graphics, ancient coins and weapons, a precious archive and numerous ethnographic materials.

The suburbs of the town are the location of the remains of the castle and the ruins of ancient settlements. Precious ancient amphorae are found here even nowadays. You will also see the preserved tiles, parts of buildings, and even streets of the ancient city. The remains of an ancient staircase will help you to climb the hill, which has served, according to the legend, the foundation of the temple of Asclepius. Later is has been turned into Forum of Augustus.

The important historical symbol of the city is Mauzolej obitelji Racic located in the center on the St. Rock Cemetery. The mausoleum was built here in 1921 on the ruins of the destroyed medieval church. The construction is distinguished by its beautiful stone relief. Despite the specificity of its attractions and location, it doesn’t look bleak. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The fascinating Knezev Dvor is worth being mentioned too. It is recognized as one of the majestic architectural monuments of Cavtat. Today, this historical building houses Valtazar Bogisic Collection that was started in 1909. It consists of over 35 000 exhibits including old pieces of art, numismatic collections, ancient books and manuscripts. Valtazar Bogisic was a famous scientist. His scientific works and collection of rare scientific publications are of great value to the museum.

Fans of exciting excursions should certainly visit Vlaho Bukovac House. It was opened in the old building where the famous artist lived once. The mansion was built at the turn of the 18th-19th centuries and has been conserved in its pristine form. In its courtyard, you can see interesting stone constructions and admire age-old trees. The main exhibits are famous artist’s masterpieces. The museum also houses the collection of old pieces of furniture, household items and former owners’ personal belongings. Those who visit the museum in the warm season have an opportunity to walk along the picturesque garden surrounding the mansion.

During the year, a lot of interesting holidays and festivals are held in Cavtat. One of the spectacular festivals is the Cavtat Summer. It begins in the second half of July and lasts for three weeks. At this time, a lot of interesting events take place in the city streets and squares. City guests can watch interesting street shows, outdoor concerts and different folklore festivals. In summer, amusement rides and playgrounds are open. Children can take part in special entertainments too. Most of the events organized in the context of the festival are free.