Dubrovnik

The city of Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, in Dalmatia's south, has become one of the best known and most visited holiday destinations in the Mediterranean - popular both with international tourists and celebrities alike.

One of the most popular cities with visitors and perhaps one of the best known on the Croatian and Dalmatian coastline is that of Dubrovnik. It achieved a bit of infamy during the war in former Yugoslavia in early 90s, when the footage of Dubrovnik's old walls being bombarded by the Serb paramilitary and Yugoslav army forces went around the world. But Dubrovnik has had a long and rich history, these days reflected in its many monuments - the surrounding walls of Dubrovnik just being one of the most recognized.

Dubrovnik's history

Dubrovnik was originally established by the populace of Epidaur (today’s Cavtat), whose city was destroyed at the time. In the 7th Century they created a settlement called Ragusium, the predecessor of Dubrovnik.

One of Croatia's oldest cities, Dubrovnik has a rich heritage,
reflected in landmark attractions, such as the famous Stradun

Over the centuries Dubrovnik grew in its size and strength, and owing to its growing populace’s commercial needs, acquired mainland and island territories. In the 15th Century it became known as the Republic of Dubrovnik (Respublica Ragusina). Its territory at one stage or another stretched from the islands of Peljesac and Mljet down south (in the 14th Century), all the way to include even the islands of Hvar and Brac up north (in the 15th Century), the two largest islands near Split.

The power of the Dubrovnik Republic rested largely on its commercial success and good relations with its neighbours. It was the first country to introduce quarantine’s procedures on its borders, trying to protect its locally grown produce from diseases.

Dubrovnik Republic was the first in Europe and indeed the first in the world to outlaw the slavery - on 27. January 1416. Slavery was outlawed 150 years later in England in 1569, while in the U.S.A. slavery was outlawed in 1862, towards the end of the civil war.

Dubrovnik's famous citizens

Being one of the most enlightened cultural, artistic and commercial centres in its time, it produced many famous people. These include well-known comedy playwright and poet Marin Drzic, who wrote the play "Dundo Maroje". Ivan Gundulic was another well known poet, from Dubrovnik.

Marin Getaldic (Getaldus) is another famous citizen of Dubrovnik, the physicist and mathematician – his famous parabolic mirror is today kept in the Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

One of the first books on world economic literature, "On Trading and the Perfect Merchant", was written in mid 15th Century by Benko Kotruljevic, in Dubrovnik. This early microeconomic scientific dissertation is in use even today – he was the first to establish the double-entry bookkeeping.

Panoramic view of Dubrovnik today - photo by Dalibor D.

Dubrovnik today

For many decades Dubrovnik has been one of the most visited cities in Croatia, welcoming guests from around the world.

Although the visitors numbers did slow down during early 1990s, since the mid 90s and especially since the beginning of this century, more and more tourists are visiting Dubrovnik, year after year. Now the city can offer accommodation on a similar scale to brighton hotels - but with much better weather.

Dubrovnik has established itself as one of the best known Croatia destinations, creating a brand recognized worldwide. Dubrovnik has also become a popular holiday destination for the rich and famous.

Celebrities in Dubrovnik

These of course include some of the best known celebrities, who have been discovering Dubrovnik’s charm, over and over again. During the past few years in particular, Dubrovnik has become a Mediterranean mecca for famous celebrities, either passing through, or taking their time in soaking up the local Summer atmosphere.

While in its early days Dubrovnik played host to the likes of Agatha Christie, Lord Byron and George Bernard Shaw, these days the city attracts the likes of Tom Cruise, Christopher Walken, John Malkovich, Naomi Campbell, and others.

As Dubrovnik‘s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the early James Bonds, now Sir Roger Moore, had also visited Dubrovnik last year with his wife, as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. He was attending the charity music event "From Dubrovnik for the Children of the World".

The actor John Malkovich, whose family apparently originates somewhere from this region, is a frequent visitor, having bought a holiday home here.

It is expected that during 2006 the city will be even more popular, not only with celebrities, but especially with other tourists, including those looking to buy a property here. While Dubrovnik's real estate has become expensive, those with deep pockets will still find a lot of good bargains in and around Dubrovnik.

However, if you’re looking for more reasonably priced holiday homes or villas in Dalmatia, you will discover more property bargains in and around Split area.

Read more about Dubrovnik on the following pages:

• Dubrovnik City
  
  Places to visit in Dubrovnik city, Croatia.
• Dubrovnik Accommodations
  
  Your choices defined for Dubrovnik accommodations.
• Dubrovnik Hotels
  
  A selection of the best Dubrovnik hotels.
• Dubrovnik Options
  
  Dubrovnik options will give you ideas for activities in Dubrovnik.
• Dubrovnik Travel
  
  Dubrovnik travel tips, tricks and choices.
• Accommodations in Dubrovnik
  
  Hotel accommodations in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
• Family Accommodations
  
  Where to find family accommodations in Dubrovnik.