Exploring Dubrovnik
Protecting the city-state through centuries of trade and torment
has been St. Blaise, whose statue stands over Pile Gate, the main
entrance to the old town. From here, you can walk right around the
towers and bastions (entrance 30kn) of the high city walls, which
takes about an hour.
At ground level, take a walk from Pile Gate down Stradun to the
old harbour. You'll first come across the Franciscan monastery.
Although rebuilt after 1667, the cloister is a Romanesque original
from the 15th century. On the other side stands the dome of
Onofrio's Great Fountain, built around the same time. Nearer the
old harbour, the baroque Church of St. Blaise stands across Luza
Square from the elegant Sponza Palace, formerly the Ragusa Mint.
Inside you will find the Memorial Room of the Dubrovnik Defenders,
with pictures of all those who died during the 1991
bombardment.
Also near the harbour are the Rector's Palace, the seat of
government in the old republic; the Cathedral and Treasury; and the
Dominican monastery, where the museum holds a few Titians and an
11th century Bible. The nearest beach is Lazareti, just past Ploce
Gate; another, with more family-orientated attractions, can be
found at Lapad, a short bus ride from Pile Gate.