Dubrovnik
11 things to do and see in Dubrovnik and 1 not to doBeautiful, special, romantic: for Dubrovinik, the ancient "Dubrovnik of Dalmatia“, Adjectives are wasted. At the base of tourism success is one combination of landscape-environmental factors more unique than rare: the Venetian influence; the gothic; the baroque; the ancient walls, the crystalline sea and, lastly, but only for exhibition reasons, theLokrum island and mount Srd which respectively protect it from scirocco and from bora. If we then broaden the discussion to history, to the wars and destructions that have occurred over the centuries, one can only feel admiration for a people who have always known how to get up and build a more beautiful city than the one that existed before. The last time, in the early 90s of the last century, when the civil war following the dissolution of the Jugoslavia he did not spare the city, heavily bombed by Serbian artillery. Below, our suggestions for a holiday in Dubrovnik, the "pearl of the Adriatic". Enjoy the reading.
1 The ancient walls
Two kilometers of travel; sixteen towers; four fortresses it's a panorama to take your breath away. A holiday in Dubrovnik almost invariably starts with a visit to its ancient walls. A wall that protects the whole historic center Unesco heritage. The view of the roofs also allows us to grasp the signs of the bombings suffered in the early 90s by the Serbs but, fortunately, the considerations on the "failures" of the war soon give way to the wonderful panorama all around. View which is also part of the small Lokrum island, a natural park of just one square kilometer, only 700 meters from the port of Dubrovnik. The entrance to the walls is from Pile holder, one of the two entrances to the old city (the other is Ploce gate) from which you can also access the License plate or "Stradun“, The main street of Dubrovnik. Overcome the ancient drawbridge on the left is the imposing staircase which leads up to the top of the walls. Walls that remain open all year round: d 'summer, from 8.00 to 19.00; while d 'winter (from November to February) from 10.00 to 15.00. The ticket costs about 12,00 € uro for adults; 4 € uro for children up to the age of majority (the national currency is the kuna). Alternatively, the Dubrovnik Card prepaid card which grants access to main sites and monuments of interest citizen (see link). Last advice: avoid visiting the walls during the hottest hours of the day and, in any case, have bonnet e bottle of water. It is also recommended technical clothing e trekking shoes.
2 The fortress of San Giovanni
The fortress of San Giovanni (Tvrda Sv. Ivana) is located south of the city walls, on the opposite side of the fortress of Ravellin located on the northern side. Directly overlooking the sea, protecting the old port, it currently houses theCity aquarium and Maritime Museum. In the first there are the main ones marine species that populate the Adriatic sea and Mediterranean, while in the second there are the most significant finds and testimonies of the city navy. The aquarium is small (31 tanks in all), not comparable to others in Croatia (Split, Sibenik, Porec etc.), nor to the larger ones in Genoa and Valencia, and yet it is certainly a Valid alternative especially for the families with children in tow. Therefore, in case the weather conditions do not allow other options, a visit to the Dubrovnik aquarium is undoubtedly a well done thing.
Orare
>> winter (November 3 - March 21):
9: 00-16: 00 (closed Monday);
>> summer (March 22-November 2):
9: 00-18: 00 (Monday closed).
The fortress of St. John is part of the DubrovnikCard circuit
3 The Convent of the Friars Minor
The Franciscan convent of the Friars Minor is located at the foot of the Minceta fortress, the most impressive city stronghold. The church represents a significant testimony of theDubrovnik architecture of the fourteenth century. A period in which the city passed from the Venetian domination, which ended in 1358, to the Austro-Hungarian domination which coincided with its period of greatest economic and social splendor. The Gothic, as confirmed by the cloister and fountain with the statue of San Francesco, was the stylistic code that characterized this long historical phase from an architectural point of view. The other reason of interest for visiting the convent of San Francesco is the pharmacy, one of the oldest in Europe, founded in 1317. La library conventuale preserves numerous traces of the activity of the time: documents, codes, handbooks and handwritten recipes that return an important cross Dalmatian culture in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. The Church of San Francesco is part of the circuit DubrovnikCard.
4 Island of Lokrum
Beautiful, unspoiled and only 700 meters from Dubrovnik. Lokrum, or Lacroma (from Latin "Acrumen", referring to the citrus groves present), is a must for tourists visiting the city. Ferries leave on average every 30 minutes from the port of Dubrovnik and the territory presents no obstacles. To see, the Benedictine monastery of the XII century (in the 70s of the last century converted into botanical-park) And the brackish lake, Called "Dead Sea", on the southern side of the island. Despite the name, however, it is a beautiful place that is absolutely worth visiting. Equally beautiful the "Fort Royal", a small fortress built during the Napoleonic period from which you can enjoy a splendid panorama. Finally one curiosity. Lokrum, in fact, is an island much loved by naturists who frequent its beaches.
5 The cable car
Opened in 2010, the Dubrovnik cable car in just 4 minutes connects the old town with the mount Srd, about 400 meters above sea level. There capacity maximum is About 30 people and the cost of ticket it hovers on 15 € per person. Be careful not to forget the camera. The panorama, with the top view of the city and theLokrum island, is breathtaking. And that's not all because at the top there are a restaurant, a bar it's a museum dedicated to war of independence fought in the early 90s of the last century. Not to be missed!
6 Church of San Biagio
Together with Cathedral and Rector's Palace, the church of St. Blaise, patron saint, is one of the most important monuments of Dubrovnik, a precious testimony of the golden age lived by the city between the 700th and 1667th centuries. The building, however, was almost entirely rebuilt at the beginning of the 1706s after the enormous damage caused by the earthquake of XNUMX and those, further, due to a vast fire that broke out in XNUMX. The Council of notices of Ragusa entrusted the task of reconstruction to tal Marino Groppelli (1662 - 1728) Venetian builder and sculptor who dedicated himself continuously from 1706 to 1715. He was responsible for the decision baroque turn in fact, the building is striking for its decorative exuberance. The Putti and the Cherubino sul portal; S. Biagio, Faith and Hope on crowning; the newt's heads sui hips of the building were all made by this Venetian artist who at the end of the works requested and obtained a certificate of merit by the Ragusan government. Also worth seeing is the statue of San Biagio behind thehigh altar, the only survivor of the fire we mentioned earlier.
7 Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary
Like almost all of the Old Town of Dubrovnik, even the Cathedral shows the signs of the main ones architectural influences that have crossed the city over the centuries. There is a trace of the Byzantine style of the origins (VI-VII century) and of that Romanesque of the XII century, when the church was enlarged, it seems, by a "vote" of Richard "the Lionheart" miraculously escaped a shipwreck near theLokrum island. Then there was the devastating 1667 earthquake which obliged the city government to arrange a major city restructuring plan. This explains the prevalence of barocco, true stylistic code of this and other city buildings. Inside, the treasure with the relics of San Biagio and other reliquaries in gilded silver, almost all made between the 200th and 300th centuries by local goldsmiths. Also very beautiful polychrome altars, among which the one of St. John Nepucemium made of purple marble.
8 Rector's Palace
The Rector's Palace “jumps out” of the same architectural combination that defines much of Dubrovnik's old town. That means, gothic art e Renaissance with the subsequent introduction of baroque decorative elements. For centuries seat of the Prince designated to guide the city, the palace also housed themilitary arsenal necessary to defend themselves. Not surprisingly, before 1667 earthquake two violent explosions, one in 1435 and the other in 1463, caused extensive damage to the building. The first restructuring, following the explosion of 1435, was carried out by the Neapolitan engineer Onofrio della Cava, also creator of the Great Fountain shortly after entering from Pile holder. In addition to the arsenal, there were the halls of the guards prigione he administrative offices of the city ruling class. A political, bureaucratic and military elite who in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries decreed the mercantile fortunes of the city that managed to carve out an autonomous commercial space, especially with North Africa and Turkey. Currently the Rector's Palace houses a museo storico e various cultural events (concerts, exhibitions, reviews, etc.) especially during the summer.
9 The historic center
And after having visited the walls and monuments, all that remains is to do "Get lost" in the historic center of Dubrovnik. It is small, it turns easily on foot and on curious visitor gives glimpses e details in quantity. A dense maze of narrow streets where you can breathe an almost mystical atmosphere, heightened by the feeling of impregnability suggested by the fortresses all around. To see, the fountain of Sant'Onofrio (Velika Onofrijeva) made by the builder Giordano Onofrio. A Neapolitan engineer, coming from Cava de 'Tirreni, very active in the fifteenth century. The administration of Dubrovnik entrusted him with the works for the construction of the aqueduct and the renovation of the Rector's Palace. A must also go to License plate (or Stradun) the city street of Shopping.
10 The beaches
Woe to forget that Dubrovnik is also one seaside resort. Indeed, a strange thing happens, at least apparently: who favors quiet e Relax book hotels located outside the old town. For example, those behind the great Copacabana beach; or the structures present in the Lapad bay. Both the Copacabana beach and the Lapad coast are really suitable for everyone: families with children in tow; to young people who want to have fun; to those in search of tranquility. The merit is of the organization of the beaches, the professionalism of the employees, but above all of the almost always calm and crystalline sea. Different, for scenario, the San Giacomo beach (Sveti Jacov) located east in the old part of Dubrovnik. It is easily reachable on foot, but with the inconvenience of almost 200 steps to take to reach it. Alternatively, the comfortable taxi-boat service who daily shuttles from the port. It's not over, because there are islands: in addition to Lokrum, of which we have already mentioned, is also worth a visit Lopud (see photo), neighbor's island archipelago of the Elaphites. Frequent connections for both. In short, not just art and museums. Dubrovnik is also sea, sun, beaches and fun.
11 The surroundings
There are so many things to see in Dubrovnik. Maybe even too many to do them all at once. For example, we have mentioned the islands of Lokrum and Lopud, but woe to forget Korcula e Mljet. Then there is the Peljesac peninsula, ideal for lovers of trekking, without of course forgetting the sea. Still, there is the whole thing to see Dubrovnik Riviera and l 'archipelago of the Elaphites. In short, more than a vacation it would be necessary to move for a year. Or, why not, definitely. Aside from the jokes, there are several in the city agencies that cure private tours at a time of each location. An extra opportunity for those coming on holiday to Dubrovnik.
1 Look at the kuna (HRK) euro (EUR) exchange rate
There is the official exchange and that impromptu. This last circumstance occurs when you pay in euros and receive the change in the local currency. The advice, therefore, is to use the Croatian currency in order to avoid surprises. If you have no choice, it is better to do it in euros i small purchases, avoiding, in any case, i larger cuts from 50 euros to go up.
