 Thanks to its exceptional geographical position at the time, trade developed in Dubrovnik, and with its fleet of1800 ships it become the third strongest force in the world. Although tributes had to be paid to Ottomans, Dubrovnik’s independence and autonomy was retained and it traded within the entire Ottoman Empire, especially with Turkey, Italy and Spain. Following the arrival of Napoleon in the 19th C., the Republic of Ragusa was abolished and its territory became part of Dalmatia. Since then, Dubrovnik has shared the destiny of other Croatian towns. Dubrovnik’s most well-known symbol is its city walls whose construction began back in the 8th C. but which were consolidated from the 15th to the16th C. The City walls surround the old town in the form of an unsymmetrical polygon, 22 m high and 3-6 m in width, with Minčeta towers on the north-west side and St. Ivan on the south-east side of the walls. The Castles Lovrijenac and Revelina in Ploče, although outside the walls were part of the town’s defensive system. A large number of tourists visit these beautiful buildings throughout the year. There are some 80 Catholic churches around the town of which 30 are always open and available to visitors. The most famous are surely the churches of St. Vlaho, Dubrovnik’s cathedral together with the cathedral of St. Jakov. In the old town there are also ten museums preserving valuable objects from the town’s rich history as well as numerous galleries where renowned artists exhibit their works of art.
Numerous concerts and theatre performances are proof of the town’s rich culture whilst the Dubrovnik Summer Games, held in the open-air and which are particularly distinguished by the different locations and events taking place. In 2005 the Libertas Film Festival began with the aim of enlarging the town’s cultural offer. During the Festival or Summer Games period, the streets are inundated with tourists who, whilst enjoying themselves, await the morning in the open-air. For the younger members of the public there are numerous bars, discotheques and parties on offer. This is completed by a top-level gastronomic offer. The organized trips along the Dubrovnik Rivijera, from the island of Lokrum, over the Cavtat and Ston, known for its bay where top-quality oysters are grown, then to Koločep, Slani and Rijeka Dubrovačka are very popular too. Dubrovnik is an ideal destination for people from all around the world visiting in their luxury yachts, or by road or plane and charter flights. Dubrovnik Airport is situated in Ćilipi and is 13 km from the city centre. There are daily connecting flights with Zagreb and Split and the airport is also well-connected with numerous European towns such as Rome, Vienna, Frankfurt, London, Oslo, Barcelona and others. The ACI marina is situated near to the village of Komolac, approximately 2 nautical miles from the entrance to the town’s port, Gruž, and about 6 km by road from the old town centre. There are 400 boat moorings and 100 berths on land. The marina is equipped with electricity and water supplies; a boat repair shop, shops and a petrol station as well as all associated facilities necessary for a pleasant stay for all yachtsmen. Dubrovnik has also become an inevitable destination for numerous cruise liners that cast their anchors in the city centre, near Stradun - the most famous town promenade. For those tourists looking for an active holiday here, there are numerous sporting facilities, halls, swimming-pools, playing fields as well as tennis, scuba diving and sailing schools where there is also the possibility of leasing equipment and boats. |
