It
might be best to describe the beauty of this city with the words of
the Irish author George Bernard Shaw who said: “Those
who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik”.
Dubrovnik is a city which has survived despite numerous sieges, a
city enlisted in the UNESCO registry of world heritage, a city of
cultural riches and history, city that has survives earthquakes, and
which offers a unique beauty you will feel long after you have left
it. It is situated in the south of Croatia and it makes a unique
tourist destination which attracts travellers daily. It also merges
history, culture and natural beauty into one, offering at the same
time a wide range of attractions to visitors: pleasant Mediterranean
climate, hot summer days
cooled
by the gentle mistral, beautiful beaches, unforgettable nightlife,
rich cultural and sports life, historical monuments and all that in
the vicinity of some of the most beautiful islands (like Lokrum
and
the National Park Mljet).
What attracts every tourist are the
city walls which
encircle Dubrovnik and which had guarded the city against the enemies
for centuries. The 2 km long walls reach the height of 25 m, and in
some places the width of the walls reaches even 6 m. From the walls a
magnificent view spreads over the entire city and its harbour, which
is filled with luxurious yachts in the summer. The harbour is also a
daily remainder that the city was once a centre of shipbuilding and
seamanship on the Mediterranean. Tourists can enjoy the city walls
tour from where they can see a magnificent view on almost all of the
notabilities of the city. Still, the most beautiful view of the city
and its streets can be enjoyed from the fortress
Minčeta which
is situated on the northern side of the city walls.
The
centre of the city is Stradun
(or
Placa) – which is the main street in Dubrovnik and it is 300 m
long. Older and younger people, Dubrovnik inhabitants as well as
tourists, equally enjoy walking along Stradun.
When
you find yourselves in the city you must not miss the numerous
fountains, the Court
of the Prince,
the
Sponza palace (the
most attractive building in Dubrovnik which was a customs office, a
mint, a bank, and a state treasury), the franciscan and dominican
buildings, the apothecary shop from the 14th century which works even
today, the
town square of Luža,
the
pillar of Orlando from
the 15th
century which is one of the most important symbols of freedom in
Dubrovnik, the Big and the Little Onofri fountain, the baroque Church
of St. Walach (1706.–1714.g.), the Cathedral, Lovrijenac...
Dubrovnik
citizens especially celebrate the day of St. Walach, the patron-saint
of the city. You will also enjoy the rich gastronomical offer – the
traditional courses like Dalmatian pudding and “brodet” of eels,
but also the tasty wines like Dingač, Postup, Grk, Malvazija and
Plavac. The most important cultural event is the Dubrovnik summer
festival held for over 50 years now. During those 45 days different
concerts are held in town squares, as well as manifestations, theatre
plays, and different folk groups demonstrate their dancing skills,
along with other events that take place in some of Dubrovnik
buildings or in an open space. The opening of the games in itself
starts on June 10th
and it represents a special event in which hosts as well as tourists
are involved.