ATTRACTIONS

Dubrovnik Attractions

Franciscan Monastery

The 14th-century Franciscan church and monastery enclosed in the walls of medieval Dubrovnik boasts one of the most beautiful Romanesque cloisters in Dalmatia. Within the monastery complex is a working pharmacy, which has been in business since 1317. A museum houses relics from the original medieval pharmacy such as medical books, instruments and weight scales, as well as some ancient manuscripts and gilded church relics.

Address: Placa 2; Telephone: (0)20 426 345; Opening time: 9am to 6pm daily in summer; Admission: 25 kn (adults), 12.50 kn (children)

Dubrovnik Attractions

City Walls

The impressive walls enclosing the ancient city of Dubrovnik were laid out in the 13th century and became an ongoing work for almost two centuries. They are among the finest in the world and are the city's main attraction. The fortified walls are up to 10ft (3m) thick on the sea side, and at least twice as thick on the land side to guard against invasion by the Turks in the 15th century, and reach 82ft (25m) in height. Visitors can access the walls via a steep stone stairway where they will be rewarded with superb views over the old city and out to sea. A walk around the old city from this fascinating vantage point is a must for visitors to Dubrovnik. The detached Lovrjenac Fort to the west of the old city stood guard against both land and sea invasion and is also worth a visit for its superb views.

Opening time: Opening times vary according to the season, but generally 9am to 7.30pm (summer), 10am to 3pm (winter); Admission: 50 kn (adults); 20 kn (children)

Dubrovnik Attractions

Marin Drzic�s House

Croatia’s literary genius, Marin Drzic, has been immortalised by turning his Dubrovnik home into a museum which introduces visitors to the writer with a 40-minute presentation on his life and work. The presentation is also a good introduction for visitors to the history and culture of Dubrovnik itself.

Address: Siroka ulica 7; Website: www.mdc.hr/dubrovnik; Telephone: (0)20 420 490; Opening time: 9am to 1pm, closed Sundays. The presentation is shown to groups of 15 at a time; Admission: 20 kn (adults); 10 kn (students and children)

Dubrovnik Attractions

Cathedral Treasury

Dubrovnik has had three cathedrals on the same site during its long history. The first was a Byzantine building dating from the 7th century; the second a Romanesque Cathedral which was destroyed by the great earthquake of the 17th century; and at present the beautiful Baroque structure which was designed by Italian architect Buffalini from Urbino and completed in 1713. The treasury of the cathedral is rich in religious relics, icons, paintings and other items of value. It is also possible to view the archaeological excavations that continue on the cathedral site.

Address: Kneza Damjana Jude 1; Telephone: (0)20 323 459; Opening time: Weekdays 8am to 8pm. Closed for lunch; Admission: 10 kn

Dubrovnik Attractions

War Photo Limited

Located in the historical centre of Dubrovnik, the exhibition space features temporary, changing exhibitions of photographic works relating to war and conflict. The photographs aim to showcase war as it really is, the horror and brutality that is experienced by innocents and combatants alike. War Photo Limited exhibitions are intended to be educational and showcase the work of world-renowned photojournalists.

Address: Antuninska 6; E-mail: info@warphotoltd.com; Website: www.warphotoltd.com; Telephone: (0)20 322 166; Opening time: Open daily 9am to 9pm (June to September); Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 10am to 2pm (May and October); closed from November to April; Admission: 30 kn

Dubrovnik Attractions

Onofrio�s Fountain

Located in a small square near the Pila Gate and Franciscan Monastery, this large fountain was built in 1438 by the famous Italian architect from Naples, Onofrio della Cava. After sustaining severe damage in a 1667 earthquake, the fountain was repaired and features 16 masked faces, known as 'maskeroni', which supplied water via an aqueduct. This construction was a masterpiece of that time. A smaller Onofrio's fountain located on the opposite side of the Stradun supplied water to the marketplace on Luža Square.

Dubrovnik Attractions

Sponza Palace

Built between 1516 and 1521, the Sponza Palace was the center of medieval Dubrovnik, complete with a mint, a weights and measures office and a Custom-House, a place where the goods brought by merchants from all over the world would be conveyed and custom fees collected. Sponza is one of the most beautiful palaces in the City and has managed to preserve its original form.

Address: Luza square, Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik Attractions

Dubrovnik Port

Lined with palm trees, Dubrovnik's port is a major focal point of the city featuring breathtaking and unforgettable scenery. Located right next to the picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old Town, the port features great shopping at small markets along its tiny cobble stoned streets and fantastic sightseeing activities. What better setting could there possibly be for a port - it's no wonder Dubrovnik is known as the 'Jewel of the Adriatic'.

Dubrovnik Attractions

Stradun

The biggest, longest and widest street in Dubrovnik, the Stradun dates back to the 13th century. The street is 958 feet (292 metres) long and is the commercial, entertainment and spiritual centre of Dubrovnik. The shiny, slippery, marble-paved Stradun is the main walkway of Dubrovnik's Stari Grad.