Introduction
Dubrovnik, a city in the Balkans in Croatia, is one of those cities that will leave you breathless the moment you step on its soil! Dubrovnik is located in the very south of Dalmatia and represents Croatia’s most important historical and touristic center.
This city in Croatia used to be an important cultural and commercial center, and today this Pearl of the Adriatic is an important historical and tourist city for Croatia and the entire Balkans. Words cannot adequately describe the beauty of Dubrovnik; only those who have visited can experience the Mediterranean atmosphere that Dubrovnik offers.
Therefore, on our Balkan tour in April, one day will be dedicated to visiting Dubrovnik. You will get to know many important parts of Dubrovnik such as the Old Town and Stradun, but also historical sights such as the Orlando sculpture and the Dubrovnik Clock Tower.
In this blog, you will learn everything about Dubrovnik, the historical significance of this city, and its beauty. Explore Dubrovnik and the Balkans with Balkland!
Explore Dubrovnik – The Unique Beauty of the Balkans
Dubrovnik city walls
To defend the city of Dubrovnik from enemies who wanted to occupy a larger part of Dubrovnik, strong and defensive Dubrovnik city walls were built. The city walls date from the 12th to the 17th century and stretch for about 2 kilometers. The walls consist of fortifications, towers, and bastions. This architectural approach effectively protected Dubrovnik from all attacks.
Their impressive thickness and height intimidated all enemies, and today tourists admire them. The height of the walls varies, reaching up to 25 meters in some places, providing an excellent view, but also security. As for the thickness of the walls, it ranges from 1.5 to 6 meters.
The “Heaven on Earth” walls, as they are often called, became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. In this way, people recognized their historical importance for Croatia and the entire Balkans!
“He who seeks heaven on earth should visit Dubrovnik”, George Bernard Shaw, playwright.
Karaka Ship
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Karaka ship was used for maritime exploration and trade. The Dubrovnik carrack is one of the most famous and belongs to the largest ships of that era. These ships carried expensive cargo, mostly weapons and cannons to defend against pirates.
This ship has high sides, a wide hull, and three to four masts. Today, on this very ship that once fought against pirates, you can watch the sunset on a sunset tour with Balkland!
Onofrio’s Fountain
During your stay in this magical city in Croatia, you must not forget to visit Onfrio’s Fountain, which is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. The fountain is located on the main square of Stradun.
The fountain was named after the Italian architect Onofria della Cava, who created this project back in 1438. Previously, this fountain was very important for all the inhabitants of Dubrovnik because it was a source of drinking water. After that, a modern water supply system brought water to the houses. The fountain’s main feature is a large round pool with 16 water outlets symbolizing the 16 Dubrovnik water sources.
St. Jakov beach
The “Pearl of the Adriatic” also has beautiful beaches. One of them is the famous St. Jakov Beach. This beach is only a few kilometers from the Old Town. You can reach the beach very easily, by car and on foot. If you decide to go hiking, you will enjoy a romantic walk through the promenade.
When you arrive at St. Jakov beach, you will have a view of the beautiful Old Town and the island of Lokrum. Especially in the afternoon hours, when the sun sets when the colors in the sky create picturesque scenes that couples especially appreciate.
After swimming, enjoy a walk through Stradun, the main street in Dubrovnik.
Stradun – Main street of Dubrovnik
For Dubrovnik’s residents, Stradun, the main street, was once the primary trade route, while today it is a place for public celebrations and events such as parades and the traditional Dubrovnik Summer Festival.
Stradun is surrounded by different styles of architecture. The buildings include houses in Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic styles, which delight many tourists who come to visit this Balkan city.
This narrow street is paved with white marble slabs that create a special charm and authenticity. In Stradun, you can sit down in various cafes and restaurants and thus enjoy the beauty of this place.
Rich history
Historically, Dubrovnik has successfully resisted sieges and maintained its autonomy, which continues to this day. First mentioned in the 7th century, Dubrovnik’s initial settlements formed at the site of the current town. From then until the 10th century, the city became an autonomous maritime state, the center of shipping and trade with the rest of the Balkans.
Under the influence of the Venetians, they fell into a period from the 14th to the 15th century, after which they managed to break free and that’s when the golden age of Dubrovnik began. The city becomes one of the most important commercial and cultural centers in the Mediterranean and the Balkans. Also, under the influence of the Renaissance, many buildings are built in this city, and the port becomes key in trade.
Later, Dubrovnik fell under the hands of Napoleon and then under the hands of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, and during the Second World War, the city was under Italian occupation.
Interesting fact: in 1783, Dubrovnik diplomacy was among the first to recognize the independence of the United States of America.
From 1991 until today, Dubrovnik has finally returned to its role as a cultural and tourist center. Its colorful history attracts many tourists from different parts of the world. Tourists from the USA, Europe, and Canada and tourists from many other countries come to visit this city and admire its flawless and lasting beauty!
If you have a desire to visit Dubrovnik, you can do so with our Balkan tour. Visit this beautiful historical city, feel its historical and Mediterranean atmosphere, and return home with a new unforgettable experience!
Old Town in Dubrovnik
Old Town in Dubrovnik, all these years, has preserved its historical beauty and its beautiful buildings. The Balkan peoples are proud of the fact that the Old Town is located in the Balkans and you will always hear them tell only good stories about this city.
The Old Town in Dubrovnik is located between the City Walls and represents the heart of this city. It is full of historical sights, narrow stone streets, squares, and imposing buildings. When you arrive in the old town, you will recognize it immediately. You will see stone houses with red roofs that provide an authentic look of a medieval town.
In the Old Town, you can visit the Church of Saint Blaise, dedicated to the city’s patron saint, Saint Blaise. It was built in the Baroque style and is one of the most important architectural buildings in this city.
When you visit the Old Town in Dubrovnik, be sure to climb Fort Lovrijenac, also known as Fort St. Lawrence. It is located along the shore of the Old Town and has an imposing position that offers a spectacular view of the sea and the city.
Dubrovnik’s James Bond – Dušan Popov 007
In addition to all the natural and historical beauties, Dubrovnik hides another interesting secret. Did you know that the James Bond character is not entirely fictional? A man who lived and grew up in Dubrovnik inspired the character Magenta 007.
His name is Dušan Popov, a Serb who was born in 1912 in Titel (then Austria-Hungary, today’s Serbia), and who, together with his family, moved to Dubrovnik in his childhood. The real agent 007 was a very smart man, he spoke several languages and studied all over the world (France, Yugoslavia, and Great Britain). At one point, he decides to open a law firm and later becomes a double agent because of his intellectual connections.
Duško, as he was fondly called, loved women, gambling, and Dubrovnik. Although he traveled all over the world all his life, both as a student and as a secret agent, he always returned with joy to his Dubrovnik.
Interesting fact: It is assumed that his code name is 007, the last three digits of the telephone number of his office in Dubrovnik.
Later, Dubrovnik’s James Bond was awarded the Order of the British Empire. After the war, he moved to France, where he married twice and had three sons.
Game of Thrones Dubrovnik
The beautiful walls of Dubrovnik attract not only tourists from different parts of the world but also film and series producers. One of the main sets of the popular series “Game of Thrones” was filmed in Dubrovnik.
Stone walls, city gates, alleys, and imposing buildings such as the Prince’s Palace and the Church of Saint Blaise served to represent the King’s Landing.
The greenery of Fort Lovrijenac, located along the coast of Dubrovnik, represented the Red Fortress in the series. Also, the filmmakers used this location for a scene where the characters play among lush greenery.
Many more locations of this beautiful Croatian city were used to shoot different scenes. With our
Hi, I’m Mike—co-founder of Balkland and your on-the-ground tour leader. I’m involved from the first message to the final farewell, making sure everything feels effortless and every day feels designed around you.