Dubrovnik History

The Dubrovnik Republic was at its height in the 16th century.  It gained its prosperity through maritime trade and had a fleet of 180 to 200 ships. At this time, larger and larger ships were being built and travelling longer and longer distances. They were sailing the Mediterranean and Black Seas and travelling to England, Germany and even across the seas to India and the Americas.

Due to all of this maritime trade, Dubrovnik became a major cargo port and became an extremely prosperous republic.

Prosperity shaped the Republic of Dubrovnik into a very humanistic culture and also led to extraordinary achievements in the areas of architecture, literature, poetry and science. However, the 17th century saw Dubrovnik fighting to save its very existence due to a crisis in maritime trade and the catastrophic earthquake of 1667.

Then in the 18th century, Dubrovnik benefited from the revival of maritime trade as it traded under a neutral flag. Napoleon, however, dissolved the Republic of Dubrovnik in 1808 and in 1815 it was joined with the other parts of Dalmatia and Croatia and since that time has shared a common political fate with them.

In 1991, Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia and in October of 1991, Dubrovnik was attacked by Serbia and Montinegro. Dubrovnik was occupied and significantly devastated during this time. Since then, however, it has been rebuilt and is once again one of the most visited regions on the Adriatic Sea.  

 

                           Old town Dubrovnik                                                                  Sailing in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is an old city on the Adriatic Sea coast in the extreme south of Croatia. It is one of the most prominent tourist resorts of the Mediterranean, a seaport and the center of the Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its population was about 47.000 in 2010. Dubrovnik is nicknamed "Pearl of the Adriatic" and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.                                                                                    

                Dubrovnik Stradun                                                                  Main Street of Dubrovnik

Today Dubrovnik is the elite destination and one of the most beautiful towns in the Mediterranean. It was discovered by celebrities as a place to be seen. George Bernard Shaw once said that "those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik and find it". Royalty, presidents and diplomats have all favored the city.

                                        Beach  Banja                                                         Entrance to old Port Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik was heavily bombed during the Croatian War of Independence from 1991 to 1995. Almost all of the damage has been repaired; however, if you look closely around the old town, mortar damange in the cobblestone streets and bullet marks in the stone houses are visible

                                          Stradun                                                                      One of many mega yachts

Stradun (Placa) is the central street of the city of Dubrovnik and is the place where the old city comes to life. During the day, explore the shades of the peripendicular streets and alleys on its sides, and during the night, take walks up and down the Stradun.

The night time is when the city really comes to life.The cafes, restaurants and clubs are filled with music and the sounds of laughter from young and old.  This is truly a place where people of all ages can enjoy themselves.  

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