City Orientation Walk

Transcription

1 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 1 - City Orientation Walk Dubrovnik is one of the most visited cities of Croatia. It's a historical destination, packed with points of interest and many monuments. Most of the attractions situated in Dubrovnik are to be found in the old city area that was actually listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in Find the most famous sights of Dubrovnik in the next walking tour. Guide Location: Croatia» Dubrovnik # of Attractions: 13 Tour Duration: 2 hour(s) Travel Distance: 1.6 km Please note: This walk is also featured in the ios app "Dubrovnik Map and Walks" on itunes App Store and the Android app "Dubrovnik Map and Walks" on Google Play. The apps provide GPS navigation to guide you from one tour stop to the next, so you will never be lost. The apps offer additional walking tours in Dubrovnik. Check them out! GPSmyCity offers self-guided walking tours in over 1,000 city around the world. Please visit gpsmycity.com for more walking tour offers. List of attractions included in this self-guided walking tour: A) Luža Square B) Rector's Palace C) Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin D) Maritime Museum E) St Ignatius Church F) Dubrovnik Ethnographic Museum G) Marin Držić House Museum H) Ancient City Walls I) St Saviour's Church J) Stradun K) War Photo Limited L) Dubrovnik Synagogue M) Dominican Monastery Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 1 -

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3 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 3 - A) Luža Square (must see) Luža Square has been the hub around which Dubrovnik has revolved for many centuries. The buildings surrounding this busy square have stood for hundreds of years and the square has been a gathering place for the residents just as long. Today this wonderful medieval square is home to cafes, a bell tower and Orlando s column. It is a spectacular place to watch people and take in a nice afternoon. The history of the square also has a serious side. This is where the sovereignty of this nation was proclaimed. It is also the place where trials were held, judgments pronounced and punishment executed. It is easy to get lost in time with the Gothic-Renaissance buildings and the paved square; it must have looked almost the same in the 14th century. The Square also is a venue for the opening ceremony of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, the Feast of St. Blaise and many other events. This city center is still gathering people just as it was designed to do over seven centuries ago. Address: Luža Square, Old Town, Dubrovnik, Croatia Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 3 -

4 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 4 - Image Courtesy of Flickr and ahisgett B) Rector's Palace (must see) The Rector s Palace is a historical museum that depicts what the building was like in the 15th Century, when the location was the home and governing seat for power in Dubrovnik. The displays are set up to try to actually display what the old building might have been like when the Rector and the City Council used to meet there. For a palace, though, it is very modest. Opulence has never been something that the rich of the area believed in. When you view the location, you may be surprised at how simple the design is. There is no luxury to be found. The location was also built by Onofrio, just like the fountains that are located in the town. The Palace was damaged extensively in the late 1400s. During the reconstruction, some more classic Italian Renaissance style elements found their way into the architecture. There was also an earthquake that damaged the building in the 1600s. At that time, the atrium was rebuilt, and some Baroque style elements were added. There are great old historical collections of metalwork, paintings, and textiles from the period here. You can also find the works of artists like Tintoretto and Bordone displayed inside. Address: Pred Dvorom 3, Old Town, Dubrovnik, Croatia Image Courtesy of Flickr and lostajy. Sight description based on wikipedia C) Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin (must see) The Assumption Church is an impressive structure that has undergone a lot of change over the years. The original cathedral was a Byzantine style church that was built in the 6th Century. So, a church of one type or another has been here a very long time. The whole building was redone in a construction phase that lasted over one hundred years, starting in the 12th Century. At that time, a more Romanesque style of design was incorporated into the building. Local legend has it that the change was financed by King Richard the Lionheart after he was rescued here during his campaigns. Like most buildings in Dubrovnik, this one was badly damaged during the great Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 4 -

5 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 5 - earthquake of 1667 and rebuilt in a Baroque style. On the inside, there is a beautiful painting of the assumption of Mary, done by Titian around 1552 A.D. There is also a copy of Raphael s Virgin of the Chair painting here. The local sacred art collection is also worth a look, and is typical of the type of work being done here during the 1500s. Address: Poljana M Drižća, Old Town, Dubrovnik, Croatia Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Hedwig Storch. Sight description based on wikipedia D) Maritime Museum (must see) The museum is located at Fort St. Johns. It occupies the first and second floor of the building. The lower flower is designed to give the visitor an idea of what maritime life was like for the people of Dubrovnik. There are also some great exhibits on shipbuilding here. The upper floor shows exhibits of maritime life from more recent times, including the thriving steam ship trade that was here up to World War II. The Peliesac Peninsula has been well known for its maritime industry for centuries. You can trace this back easily to the time of the Roman Empire. This location has done a good job of documenting that information in a way that is interesting and informative. Make sure to visit the scaled down models of the ships from Dubrovnik that are on display here. Opening hours: Summer (March 22 November 2): 9 a.m. 10 p.m., Mondays closed; Winter (November 3 March 21): 9 a.m. 4 p.m., Mondays closed Address: Damjana Jude 2, Dubrovnik, Croatia Image Courtesy of Flickr and peak4 E) St Ignatius Church (must see) This is a fine example of an old Jesuit style Roman Catholic Church. It is located on the very southern edge of the old part of Dubrovnik. Construction of the facility was started in 1665, and was delayed for a bit during the great earthquake of Completion of the project happened in The designer was Ignazzio Pozzo. Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 5 -

6 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 6 - Like many such buildings owned by the Jesuit community, this local house of worship was modeled after the Gesu in Rome. This is the main headquarters for the Order. The overall architectural style is done in Baroque. The square in front of the church is a very popular spot for gatherings in the city. It is also decorated with a beautiful stairway, which is a classic example of Baroque style. There is a small college associated with the complex here as well, which is worth a look. You will want to make note of some of the fine examples of art throughout. The fresco paintings here are quite beautiful. The bell is also the oldest in all of town. Address: Uz Jezuite, Old Town, Dubrovnik, Croatia Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Lasta F) Dubrovnik Ethnographic Museum (must see) The Ethnographic Museum was built in an old building that dates back to the 16th Century. It was built as an old granary. The Republic of Dubrovnik used to keep the national grain supply here at one time, so you can image how important it used to be. In today s time, the exhibits attempt to display what life was like for the common people of the region. You can find displays here of old clothing, as well as ceremonial costumes that were worn during festival times. You can also see a classic example of the old Rector s robes. There is some beautiful artwork on display of the local wildlife. Mainly, though, you will get to see displays of the agrarian culture of the area. You will find examples of local farm tools and implements, as well as equipment used with farm animals etc. Since this is an old grain mill, you will also find a lot of information on how the culture went about the task of saving grain for food, in order to survive the long winters here. Opening hours: Summer (March 22 November 2): 9 a.m. 10 p.m., Tuesdays closed; Winter (November 3 March 21): 9 a.m. 4 p.m., Tuesdays closed Address: Od Rupa 3, Old Town, Dubrovnik, Croatia Image Courtesy of judith vigushin Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 6 -

7 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 7 - G) Marin Držić House Museum The museum was organized in 1989, so it has not been part of the town for very long. It was built in honor of a very famous Croatian writer of plays and skits. Yet, they have managed to build a nice display in a short time. You will be able to visit a place that is designed to display the science and art of what is called theatre. It will take you through exhibits on such things as costume design, conceptual art, and stage construction. The location really goes above and beyond just being a museum though. They actually do scientific research here on things that can help to improve the overall experience of theatre. You will never find a better place designed around the overall ambience of the visit. It is also unique in all of Croatia. The research done here is used by theatre companies all over the world to improve their performances. Opening hours: October 1st till June 1st: Tuesday Sunday: h; Monday: h; June 1st till October 1st: Tuesday Sunday: ; Monday: ; Closed on public holidays. Address: Siroka ulica 7, Dubrovnik, Croatia Image Courtesy of Christian Heutger H) Ancient City Walls (must see) The Walls of Dubrovnik are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the citizens of the afterward proclaimed maritime city-state of Dubrovnik (Ragusa), situated in southern Croatia, since the city's founding prior to the 7th century as a Byzantium castrum on a rocky island named Laus (Ragusia or Lave). With numerous additions and modifications throughout their history, they have been considered to be amongst the great fortification systems of the Middle Ages, as they were never breached by a hostile army during this time period. In 1979, the old city of Dubrovnik, which includes a substantial portion of the old walls of Dubrovnik, joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Address: Old Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 7 -

8 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 8 - Image Courtesy of Flickr and Glen Scarborough. Sight description based on wikipedia I) St Saviour's Church This marvelous old house of worship is a main attraction in the old part of Dubrovnik. The building was erected in honor of Jesus Christ, in recognition for the town being spared from a great earthquake that hit in the early 1500s. In fact, you can find a monument to that fact located on the front side of the building. Construction was finished in The famed Petar Andrijich was the designer and architect of the church. The overall design is in the shape of a Gothic cross. There is a vault that is ribbed, and there is one nave. The overall design of the outer walls is also Gothic, even down to the classic pointed windows. A keen observer of architecture will note, however, the bits and pieces of Renaissance stylings in the main building, as well as in some of the trimming. This church is very important to the city because it is one of the only buildings that actually survived the earthquake that struck the region in So, it is very important to the city s history. Make sure to see the beautiful Onofrio fountain that is located inside the Pile Gate at the location. Address: Stradun 2, Franciscan Monastery, Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Lasta. Sight description based on wikipedia J) Stradun (must see) Stradun is the biggest and longest street in Dubrovnik, along the Old Town. The street is 292 m long. Stradun became the city's main thoroughfare in the 13th century, and its current appearance was for the most part created following the devastating 1667 earthquake in which most of the buildings in Ragusa (as Dubrovnik was called back then) were destroyed. Before the earthquake the houses which line the street were not so uniformly designed as they appear today, with many of them featuring arcades and elaborate decorations. Following the 1667 earthquake and a large fire which broke out immediately afterwards, the Republic of Ragusa passed a law which specified the layout of all future residential buildings constructed in the city. Stradun is the commercial, entertainment and spiritual center of Dubrovnik. The street is marble-paved and is considered the main walkway of Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 8 -

9 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 9 - Dubrovnik's Stari Grad. Address: Old Town, Dubrovnik, Croatia Image Courtesy of Flickr and Tony Hisgett. Sight description based on wikipedia K) War Photo Limited (must see) This is a relatively new addition to the city of Dubrovnik. The center was opened in 1990 by famed photographer Wade Goddard, specialized in photos from war zones and areas of conflict around the world. He came to this part of the world and decided to make it his home. As one might expect then, Goddard has extensively documented the Croatian-Serbian War of 1991 from Yugoslavia. If you are going to visit the place, be prepared ahead for the graphic nature of the content. It is not be the best venue for children. Those who are willing to visit, though, will see some truly disturbing images shot during wartime. Visiting this museum costs around US$6.00. Opening hours: April and October: Wed - Mon 10 am - 4 pm; Tuesday Closed; May - September: Everyday 10 am - 10 pm; November - March: Closed Address: Antuninska 6, Old Town, Dubrovnik, Croatia Image Courtesy of Mario Romulic L) Dubrovnik Synagogue (must see) The Dubrovnik Synagogue is amazing for several different reasons. It is the oldest Sephardi style synagogue that continues to function. It may also be one of the smallest synagogues, in terms of physical size, and is among the oldest in Europe. The building itself has undergone several repairs and refurbishing over the centuries, but with loving care and attention it still remains. The synagogue was originally built around 1350 and sustained serious damage during an earthquake in Wars have also taken a toll with Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 9 -

10 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 10 - significant damage again in WWII, and most recently, during the siege of Dubrovnik in the early 1990s. A few modifications have been made along the way, such as adding a woman s room, but generally the three story building has not changed much. The ground floor houses a museum that recounts the history of Jews in Dubrovnik. The synagogue is up a narrow set of stairs on the second floor. It has a distinct Baroque feel. The Ark contains several Torah, one that may have come with the original congregants as they fled Spain in the mid to late 1400s. Address: Zudioska street 3, Old City, Dubrovnik, Croatia Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and avishai teicher. Sight description based on wikipedia M) Dominican Monastery (must see) The Dominican Monastery of the area is very old, having been established in Much of the original financing came from the local government. In addition, many local builders volunteered their services to help the Dominican Order get established in Dubrovnik. Sadly, this building was also damaged in 1667 by the great earthquake, and had to be rebuilt in places. It is a classic example of a Gothic cloister. There is also a working medieval well here, and a decent museum to visit. It has some great examples of local and regional religious art. The old bell tower here is worth seeing. The stairway here has a balustrade which leads to the south entrance. You will notice the Romanesque style of architecture, which was done by a famous artist from Milan whose name was Bonino. There is a statue of St. Dominique here as well, depicting the founder of the Dominican Order. Also deserve mention are the newer Gothic arch and the statue of Christ here. Opening hours: Everyday from 6 AM to 7 PM and until 9 PM on Wednesday and Thursday. Address: Svetog Dominika 4, Old Town, Dubrovnik, Croatia Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and japus Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 10 -