Dubrovnik: Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is situated on the Dalmatian coast of the Adriatic Sea, and became an important Mediterranean sea power from the 13th century onwards. Although severely damaged by an earthquake in 1667, Dubrovnik managed to preserve its beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains. Damaged again in the 1990s by armed conflict, it is now the focus of a major restoration program coordinated by UNESCO.

There are many options for Dubrovnik, though it is really quite small. It is gorgeous, filled with history, charming people, and has one of the top beaches in the world, Banje Beach. Dubrovnik is an easy port to do on your own. Most first time cruise visitors really do nothing more than climb the old city walls, pop into the Cathedral, explore the monestary, grab some of the freshest seafood in the world, and shop a little.

No matter which gate you use to enter the Old City, Stradun is the central street of Old Dubrovnik. It’s the main route and the place where you can best feel the pulse of the city, the favorite promenade walk of all Dubrovnik citizens, young and old, as well as of all tourists coming from all over the world. It is noted for its many cafes, where visitors can sit outside and people watch for the price of a coffee and pastry. The morning market at the square named Gundulicera Poljana is another great spot for people watching as well as shopping for local food and wares. While you're strolling, take some time to visit Sponza Palace, a late Gothic and early Renaissance style building, it has some impressive stone carvings.

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin has roots that stretch back to the 7th century. Beneath the Cathedral, nearby archaeological excavations have revealed the foundations and walls of two older churches. The first was an early Christian basilica built sometime in the 7th or 8th century. Around the mid-12th century another magnificent church was constructed around the walls of the original church. Some say that this new church was financed by Richard the Lionhearted who, on his return from the Third Crusade, was shipwrecked off the island of Lokrum. Saved by the citizens of Dubrovnik, he was so grateful he gave a substantial gift to finance the new church. Certainly the beautifully decorated Romanesque Cathedral was fit for a king but unfortunately it was destroyed in Dubrovnik's earthquake of 1667. Rebuilding started quickly and the present day Cathedral was completed in 1713.

The interior of the Cathedral is rich in treasure--especially in the Treasury. There are 138 gold and silver reliquaries--some of which are set with jewels or decorated by reliefs, and most of which were made by Dubrovnik goldsmiths from the 11th to 17th centuries. The reliquaries are said to contain the sacred remains of St. Blaise, Dubrovnik's patron saint, and an alleged fragment of the Holy Cross.

There are also artistic treasures within the Cathedral. Over the main altar, there's a polyptych of the Assumption of the Virgin from Titian's studio and a painting attributed to Raphael.

Of course, there are other things to do. You might like taking a ferry to Lokrum, the small island just off the shore of the city, which houses a monastery, a fort with great views of Dubrovnik, botanical gardens, a natural history museum, and nudist beaches for those of you who like to swim in your birthday suits. This is the island that gave sanctuary to Richard the Lionhearted.

Or maybe you'd like to rent a kayak and paddle along the coast for a while.

If the beach is what you want, about 10 minutes walk outside the walls of Dubrovnik you will find Banje Beach – and part of the beach is free to enjoy.