How It's Built - Dubrovnik

OVERVIEW

Gain an understanding of how the architecture of Old Town has evolved through the centuries to accommodate the changing times and better withstand natural disasters. You will enter Dubrovnik’s walled medieval district through the 16th-century Pile Gate, which once had a drawbridge that could be raised at night to protect the people inside. As you walk down the main street, known as the Stradun, you will pass some of the earliest buildings in Old Town, many of which were reconstructed following a catastrophic earthquake in 1667. Although the exterior of the Rector’s Palace has remained the same since the 15th century, the building has been used for different purposes, including an armory, a watch house and a prison. The 16th-century Sponza Palace – which survived the earthquake intact – sits on a spot where rainwater was once collected, while the city’s cathedral was heavily damaged in the earthquake and was rebuilt in a baroque style.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through Dubrovnik’s Old Town and learn how it has changed over time.
• See buildings from the 14th to 17th centuries, each one a glimpse into that time period.
• Gain insight into how the earthquake of 1667 instigated the rebuilding of Old Town.
• Spend free time exploring the historical area around the 16th-century Sponza Palace.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.