Travel in Dubrovnik - Croatia - Europe - History

Dubovnik - History

New archaeological researches try to prove how history of Dubrovnik began in the 6^th century or even earlier. It was enlarged by the arrival of the Croats after the destruction of the ancient Epidaurum (Cavtat) in the 7^th century. Dubrovnik was, indeed, very powerful merchant centre during 12^th and 13^th centuries. Liberation from the Venetian Dubrovnik achieved by the Zadar Treaty in 1358.

In the 16^th century Dubrovnik became independent Republic. It had its currency, rector on the period of one month, Senat, flag, independent legislature and its patron St. Blasius. The golden age of the Dubrovnik Republic was in the 16^th century.

After surviving fires, plagues and devastating earthquakes in 1667 and 1979 Dubrovnik, that once rivalled Venice as a maritime power, was ravaged by modern artillery: hundreds were killed during the war, more than two-thirds of all roofs breached, nine palaces gutted and more than 500 historic buildings damaged.

Yet tourists, who before the war would double the population of the city during the summer, are not so quickly persuaded. To the great dismay of the people of Dubrovnik, 80 % of which rely on tourism for their income, most foreigners seem to believe that the area is still a war zone and have failed to return.

It is their loss. Old Dubrovnik is safer than most European capitals and street crime is virtually unknown. By letting ignorance guide their choice of holiday, people are missing the best-preserved medieval city in Europe. As George Bernard Shaw, the great Irish dramatist, wrote in 1929: "Those who wish to see heaven on Earth should come to Dubrovnik."

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