Apartments, Houses and Chalets for Sale in Dubrovnik town and Dubrovnik county, Croatia.
Dubrovnik - UNESCO World Heritage Site
Dubrovnik - City walls
Regardless of whether you are visiting Dubrovnik for the first time or the hundredth, the sense of awe never fails to descend when you set eyes on the beauty of the old town. Indeed it’s hard to imagine anyone becoming jaded by the city’s marble streets, baroque buildings and the endless shimmer of the Adriatic, or failing to be inspired by a walk along the ancient city walls that have protected a civilized, sophisticated republic for centuries.
Quoted from: LonelyPlanet - Dubrovnik page.
Dubrovnik from Cable Car, Dalmatia
The Walls of the Old City
The Dubrovnik city walls are considered the most complete and perhaps the greatest in Europe.
Dubrovnik - City Walls
They were built in the 8th - 17th century to protect the castle city of Stari Grad from various besiegers. One can walk on the ancient fortifications along a 2km long stone path – a feeling akin to floating above the waters of the Adriatic Sea. Impressive bastions, the circular renaissance style Minčeta Tower. A little further is Saint Luke's tower that used to protect the entrance of the port. The 16th century semi-circular fortress of Saint John is adjacent to the Aquarium and the Maritime Museum.
Ragusa, the classical name of Dubrovnik, was a famous maritime city with seagoing vessels around the world.
Fort Lovrijenac, Dubrovnik
Fort Lovrijenac -
also known as "Dubrovnik's Gibraltar", the sturdy stone fort dominates the scenery on a hill 37m above sea level, protecting the west entrance of the city as of the 13th century.
If it looks familiar, it is because it was the set for filming the popular TV series “Game of Thrones”.
Sponza Palace, Dubrovnik
Sponza Palace -
an impressive 16th century building, excellently combining Gothic and renaissance elements in its architecture. In the past, it originally housed Customs and then operated as literature club, with the high society of the city meeting in its elegant patio for philosophical conversations.
Today, the historical archives of Dubrovnik are kept in the palace.
“Green Men” ringing the bell, Clock Tower, Dubrovnik
Clock Tower -
a symbol of the city in the central Luža square, 31m high. The construction of this tower started in 1444. Two wooden soldier figures, which were later replaced by bronze statues, were designed to sound the hour by striking the old, 2,000kg bell.
The locals originally named them Maro and Baro, but eventually called them “zelenci”, namely “green men”, because of the colour they got from the oxidizing, salty breeze of the Adriatic.
“Assumption Cathedral, Dubrovnik
Inside the Assumption Cathedral
The Assumption Cathedral -
an imposing baroque building, decorated with statues of saints on the outside.
The present cathedral replaced the old Romanesque church that was destroyed by the earthquake of 1667.
The main altar holds a polyptych by Titian (Tiziano Vecelli AKA Tiziano Vecellio, of Venice), portraying a version of the Assumption of the Virgin.
Franciscan Monastery, Dubrovnik
The Franciscan Monastery -
a masterpiece of 14th century architecture, an excellent blend of Romanesque and Gothic style with many artistic and archive treasures.
Here, you will find the oldest, still operating, pharmacy in Europe, established in 1317! Monks are still preparing medicine and cosmetics from local herbs and plants, following old, 14th century recipes.
Dubrovnik - Old city from Cable Car Station
Dubrovnik and Lokrum Island
The Cable Car
The brand new cable car goes up the hill without vowels, Srđ.
The panoramic view is breathtaking. At a height of 413 meters above the city, the hill offers a panorama of the castle city and the Adriatic, like a beautiful postcard. At its top is the imposing Imperial Fortress that houses the Museum of Croatian War of Independence.
For further details see: Cable car website
Dubrovnik & Lokrum Island - from Panorama Restaurant
The Islands
The South Dalmatian Islands
Island Hopping
Very close to Dubrovnik, there are picturesque islands of rare natural beauty, ideal for swimming and relaxing in the summer.
Access is easy and on an everyday basis from the old city port for day trips.
One of the most enchanting islands of the Adriatic Sea, Mljet, is 23 miles from Dubrovnik. This is the island that lured Odysseus, who according to the local legend spent 7 years on the island, as well as Prince Charles.
Korčula island
Korčula
Another beautiful island, whose name is considered a paraphrase of the word Corcyra (Corfu).
The ancient Greeks named the 6th largest island of Croatia "Black Corcyra" because of its dense, dark, pine-woods.
This island is also the birthplace of Marco Polo!
Elafiti islands map
Still closer are the smaller Elafiti islands
Elafiti islands
- Šipan – The farthest and largest island in terms of area (15.8 km2) and population of 436 inhabitants. It has two settlements, Šipanska Luka and Suđurađ.
- Lopud – Second in size and best known for its sandy beaches, it is located between Šipan and Koločep island. It's well developed in terms of tourism infrastructure, including hotels in the town of Lopud.
- Koločep– It is the closest island to Dubrovnik, located 5 kilometres (3 miles) from the Dubrovnik harbour at Gruž. It used to be an important shipbuilding site during the Republic of Ragusa period. Koločep is one of the most indented and the southernmost permanently inhabited Croatian island with a population of 294 inhabitants. It has seven pre-Romanesque churches dating back to the times of the Croatian kings, from the 9th to the 11th century.
- And about a dozen beautiful uninhabited islet.
Elafiti islands
Events:
Dubrovnik Summer Festival
Dubrovnik Summer Festival
The cultural event of the year for Croatia, one of the oldest institutions of the sort in Europe, with a history of six decades. From mid-July to the end of August, great names from the international art scene flock to the Old City for open air concerts, theatrical and dance performances on the fort, the palaces and the squares.
Dubrovnik Summer Festival Website
Saint Blaise Procession
Saint Blaise Festival
On the 3rd of February, the residents of Dubrovnik celebrate the memory of their Patron saint, with a doxology at St Blaise Church, an 18th century church in the Old City. The church is built on the location of an older one that was destroyed by earthquake. The statue of the Saint is kept in the church, which is the only thing that was miraculously saved from the fire that broke out after the earthquake.
Saint Blaise Festival at Dubrovnik Sun Gardens
Aklapela Festival Choirs
Aklapela Festival Choirs
From around Croatia participate in this festival every April to sing a cappella, without microphones and audio mixers. Concerts are free for the public and are held in various points of the Old City.
Website of the Aklapela Festival
Ladja Marathon Spectacular
Ladja Marathon Spectacular
A 22 km rowing race on the Neretva river with the traditional ladja boats, which were used for centuries in the area to cross the narrow passages of the river. The 18-member crews include a helmsman and a drummer for keeping the rhythm in rowing!
