Berlitz: Croatia Pocket Guide by Berlitz Travel

Author:Berlitz Travel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Travel, Croatia
Publisher: APA
Published: 2014-07-18T04:00:00+00:00

Inside Dubrovnik’s city walls

Dominic Burdon/APA Publications

At the western extremity of Stradun is the Great Fountain of Onofrio, the culmination of a system that has brought fresh water to the city since 1444. The circular domed well, with its 16 water-spouting stone heads, is named after its designer Onofrio della Cava, an Italian who worked in the Dubrovnik region. According to some, it is lucky to drink at the well, but it was originally intended merely for washing on entering the city. A more minor fountain, known as the Small Fountain of Onofrio, is near the church of St Blaise (for more information, click here).

To the east, Stradun leads to Luža Square, site of a cluster of historic buildings. The 16th-century Sponza Palace C [map] (times vary; free) served as a bank, customs house, mint and treasury, before its current role as home to the state archives. This remarkable collection records the history and administration of Ragusa from the 13th century until its fall at the beginning of the 19th century. A shop selling facsimiles of historical documents is found in the palace’s courtyard, as is the Memorial Room to the Defenders of Dubrovnik, with portraits of those who died during the 1991–2 siege. The courtyard is an atmospheric venue for musical performances during the Dubrovnik Festival in August.

At the southern end of Luža Square stands Orlando’s Column (also known as Roland’s Column) dating from 1418. It commemorates a mysterious figure who is said to have helped fight off Saracen pirates in the 8th century and, in doing so, earned the city’s eternal gratitude. Orlando continues to play his part in Dubrovnik life as his column is where the start of the Dubrovnik Festival is declared every year.

Opposite is the 18th-century church of St Blaise (Crkva Sv Vlaho; opening times vary; free), named after the patron saint of Dubrovnik. Above the high altar stands a silver figure of St Blaise holding a scale model of the city: look out for similar representations of the saint elsewhere in the city.

A short walk from the church is the Rector’s Palace D [map] (Knežev Dvor; daily 9am–6pm; charge). This palatial building is a fitting residence for a figure who, in theory at least, was the most powerful person in the city. However, the honour of being rector was modified slightly by the fact that his family was not allowed to live with him and he was forbidden from leaving the palace unless on official business.

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