George Bernard Shaw has 1929. said: "If you are looking for heaven on eath, come to Dubrovnik!". Indeed, rare are the one that can withstand the enchanting centuries of history and culture still living in the stones of this amazing city. One can never foget a walk over towers and bastions of the city walls which, much like an oyster guarding its pearl, encircle the old city - the most preserved medieval urban complex in the world, under the protection of UNESCO. Discover the numerous streets, piazzas, churches, monasteries and museums whose bright red rooftops make a perfect harmony with the blue color of the Adriatic surrounding them.
The origins of the citiy of Dubrovnik go back to the VIIth century when the roman population of Epidaurus fled their city and inhabited a small island of Laus, founding a new city of Ragusa. Soon afterwards the Slavs inhabited the shore opposite the island, creating a settlement named Dub. The two worlds lived peacefully side by side for centuries deciding finally to become one. The channel between the island of Laus and the shore was buried in the XIIth century. From a divider it had become a place of joining, trade and life - this was the berth of Stradun, the main street and center of a new town called Dubrovnik.
In the centuries that followed Dubrovnik developed as a free republic, living of seamanship and trade. The Republic of Dubrovnik was one of the most advance communities of its time - guarding and valuing its freedom above all. Apart from the never conquered city walls, the pepole of Dubrovnik kept their independence by the means of skilled politics and diplomacy. As a free republick Dubrovnik was a city of culture, a city of poets, writers, scientists and constructors whose work and legacy present an irreplaceable part of the Croatian culture today.
Only by entering the old town and loosing oneself in the paved streets can one truly meet the history and culture of Dubrovnik for every edifice of this town has its own story. The sights that must be seen include the Franciscan and the Benedictine Monasteries, the Rector's palace, church of Saint Blaise and some of the many city museums. If you have some time to spare, don't forget the detached fortress of Lovijenac, a visit to the cursed island of Lokrum or a dip in the cristal clear se at Banje beach - recently proclamied one of the most beatiful beaches in the world.
During the summer Dubrovnik truly becomes a city of culture. The Orlando's column proudly wears the banner of freedom - a sign that the city is ruled by artits and that the Dubrovnik Summer Festival is afoot. It is a festival of music and theater when Dubrovnik welcomes best artists from around the world and leaves them atriums of its old palaces, its towers and bastions, its paved streets and squares to peform what they do the best.
