Editing Dubrovnik (section)

==Heritage==
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Old City of Dubrovnik
| native_name = Stari grad Dubrovnik
| native_language = Croatian
| image = File:Old City of Dubrovnik - Croatia - 8 June 2013.jpg
| caption = View of old city from [[Srđ]]
| location = [[Dubrovnik-Neretva County]], Croatia
| area = 
| built = 
| architect = 
| architecture = 
| governing_body = 
| designation1 = WHS
| designation1_offname = 
| designation1_type = Cultural
| designation1_criteria = i, iii, iv
| designation1_date = [[List of World Heritage Sites by year of inscription#1979 (3rd session)|1979]] <small>(3rd [[World Heritage Committee|Session]])</small>
| designation1_number = [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/95 95]
| designation1_free1value = [[World Heritage Sites in Europe|Europe and North America]]
| designation1_free2name = Extension
| designation1_free2value = 1994
| designation1_free3name = Endangered
| designation1_free3value = 1991–1998
| designation2 = Croatia Cultural
| designation2_offname = Stari grad Dubrovnik
| designation2_date = 
| designation2_number = 
| designation3 = 
| designation3_offname = 
| designation3_date = 
| designation3_number = 
}}
The annual [[Dubrovnik Summer Festival]] is a 45-day-long cultural event with live plays, concerts and games. It has been awarded a Gold International Trophy for Quality (2007) by the Editorial Office in collaboration with the Trade Leaders Club.

The [[patron saint]] of the city is [[Saint Blaise|Sveti Vlaho (Saint Blaise)]], whose statues are seen around the city. He has an importance similar to that of [[Mark the Evangelist|St. Mark the Evangelist]] to Venice. One of the larger churches in the city is named after Saint Blaise.
February 3 is the feast of Sveti Vlaho. Every year the city of Dubrovnik celebrates the holiday with Mass, parades, and festivities that last for several days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.tzdubrovnik.hr/clanak.shtml?clanak=890 |title=DUBROVNIK news |date=21 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021141211/http://web.tzdubrovnik.hr/clanak.shtml?clanak=890 |archive-date=2007-10-21 }}</ref>

The Old Town of Dubrovnik is depicted on the [[Obverse and reverse|reverse]] of the Croatian 50 [[Croatian kuna|kuna]] banknote, issued in 1993 and 2002.<ref name="banknotes1993">{{cite web | url=https://www.hnb.hr/en/currency/banknotes/denominations/50-kuna | title=50 kuna | date=31 January 2015 | work=hnb.hr | publisher=[[Croatian National Bank]] | access-date=6 March 2017 | archive-date=15 August 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815164816/http://www.hnb.hr/en/currency/banknotes/denominations/50-kuna | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The city boasts many old buildings, such as the [[Trsteno|Arboretum Trsteno]], the oldest [[arboretum]] in the world, which dates back to before 1492. Also, the third-oldest European [[pharmacy]] and the oldest still in operation, having been founded in 1317, is in Dubrovnik, at the Little Brothers monastery.<ref name=dbvonl15>{{cite web|url=http://www.dubrovnik-online.net/english/monuments.php |title=Monuments (1 to 5) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714090903/http://www.dubrovnik-online.com/english/monuments.php |archive-date=2010-07-14 |access-date=2010-02-16 |publisher=Dubrovnik Online |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In history, many Conversos ([[Marrano]]s) were attracted to Dubrovnik, formerly a considerable seaport. In May 1544, a ship landed there filled exclusively with [[Portugal|Portuguese]] refugees, as Balthasar de Faria reported to King John. Another admirer of Dubrovnik, [[George Bernard Shaw]], visited the city in 1929 and said: "If you want to see heaven on earth, come to Dubrovnik."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tz-seget.hr/en/40/dubrovnik|title=TZ Seget – Dubrovnik|work=tz-seget.hr}}</ref>

In the bay of Dubrovnik is the {{convert|72|ha|adj=on}} wooded island of [[Lokrum]], where according to legend, [[Richard I of England|Richard the Lionheart, King of England]], was cast ashore after being [[shipwreck]]ed in 1192. The island includes a fortress, [[botanical garden]], [[monastery]] and [[Nude beach|naturist beach]].

Among the many tourist destinations are a few beaches. Banje, Dubrovnik's main public [[beach]], is home to the Eastwest Beach Club. There is also Copacabana Beach, a stony beach on the Lapad peninsula,<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ue-4o37AficC&pg=PA57 |title=Frommer's Croatia |author=Karen Tormé Olson |author2=Sanja Bazulic Olson |publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]] |year=2006 |pages=57–58 |isbn=0-7645-9898-8 |access-date=27 October 2009}}</ref> named after the popular beach in [[Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro)|Rio de Janeiro]].

By 2018, the city had to take steps to reduce the excessive number of tourists, especially in the Old Town. One method to moderate the overcrowding was to stagger the arrival/departure times of cruise ships to spread the number of visitors more evenly during the week.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/news/has-dubrovnik-solved-over-crowding-from-cruise-lines/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/news/has-dubrovnik-solved-over-crowding-from-cruise-lines/ |archive-date=2022-01-11 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Has Dubrovnik solved the problem of overcrowding from cruise ships?|website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=15 June 2018|last1=Lawrey|first1=Katherine}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 2023, Dubrovnik's mayor closed the terrace of a bar in Stradun for the nuisance it created for the neighborhood and announced a ban on wheeled luggage in the old town to limit noise on paved streets of the Old Town.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newsendip.com/no-more-wheel-suitcases-in-dubrovnik-tourism-croatia/ | title=No more wheel suitcases in Dubrovnik - Newsendip | date=6 June 2023 }}</ref>

===Important monuments===

[[File:Ragusa, the Rettori Palace portico, Dalmatia, Austro-Hungary-LCCN2002710788.jpg|thumb|upright|Rector's Palace ca. 1900]]
[[File:On the city wall of Old Town Dubrovnik, Croatia.jpg|thumb|View from the city wall of Old Town Dubrovnik, December 2019]]
[[File:Dubrovnik Grand Hotel Imperial (34227796111).jpg|thumb|right|[[Hilton Hotels & Resorts|Hilton Imperial]] Hotel Dubrovnik]]

Few of Dubrovnik's Renaissance buildings survived the earthquake of 1667 but enough remained to give an idea of the city's architectural heritage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.croatiatraveller.com/southern_dalmatia/Dubrovnik/Dubrovnik_sights.htm |title=Dubrovnik Sights |publisher=Croatia Traveller |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227091537/http://www.croatiatraveller.com/southern_dalmatia/Dubrovnik/Dubrovnik_sights.htm |archive-date=2010-02-27 |access-date=2010-02-16 |last=Oliver |first=Jeanne |url-status=dead }}</ref> The finest Renaissance highlight is the [[Sponza Palace]] which dates from the 16th century and is currently used to house the National Archives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dubrovnikcity.com/dubrovnik/attractions/sponza_palace.htm |title=Sponza Palace |publisher=DubrovnikCity.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414012417/http://www.dubrovnikcity.com/dubrovnik/attractions/sponza_palace.htm |archive-date=2010-04-14 |access-date=2010-02-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Rector's Palace]] is a Gothic-Renaissance structure that displays finely carved capitals and an ornate staircase. It now houses a museum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dubrovnikcity.com/dubrovnik/attractions/rectors_palace.htm |title=The Rector's Palace |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527112425/http://www.dubrovnikcity.com/dubrovnik/attractions/rectors_palace.htm |archive-date=2009-05-27 |access-date=2010-02-16 |publisher=DubrovnikCity.com |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dubrovnik-guide.net/rector_palace.htm |title=The Rector's Palace |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611210820/http://dubrovnik-guide.net/rector_palace.htm |publisher=Dubrovnik Guide |archive-date=2010-06-11 |access-date=2010-02-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Its façade is depicted on the [[Obverse and reverse|reverse]] of the Croatian 50 [[Croatian kuna|kuna]] banknote, issued in 1993 and 2002.<ref name="banknotes1993"/> The [[St. Saviour Church, Dubrovnik|St. Saviour Church]] is another remnant of the Renaissance period, next to the much-visited [[Franciscan Church and Monastery (Dubrovnik)|Franciscan Church and Monastery]].<ref name="dbvonl15"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dubrovnik-guide.net/francisian.htm |title=Franciscan monastery |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611210754/http://dubrovnik-guide.net/francisian.htm |publisher=Dubrovnik Guide |archive-date=2010-06-11 |access-date=2010-02-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-destinations.com/croatia/dubrovnik-franciscan-monastery.htm |title=Franciscan Friary, Dubrovnik |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117091038/http://www.sacred-destinations.com/croatia/dubrovnik-franciscan-monastery.htm |archive-date=2010-01-17 |access-date=2010-02-16 |publisher=Sacred Destinations |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Franciscan monastery's library possesses 30,000 volumes, 216 incunabula, and 1,500 valuable handwritten documents. Exhibits include a 15th-century silver-gilt cross and silver [[thurible]], an 18th-century crucifix from Jerusalem, a [[martyrology]] (1541) by Bemardin Gucetic and illuminated [[psalter]]s.<ref name=dbvonl15/>

[[St Blaise's church]] was built in the 18th century in honour of Dubrovnik's patron saint. The baroque [[Dubrovnik Cathedral]] was built in the 18th century and houses relics of [[Saint Blaise]]. The city's Dominican Monastery resembles a fortress on the outside and the interior contains an art museum and a Gothic-Romanesque church.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-destinations.com/croatia/dubrovnik-st-blaise-church.htm |title=Church of St. Blaise, Dubrovnik |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100120024503/http://www.sacred-destinations.com/croatia/dubrovnik-st-blaise-church.htm |archive-date=2010-01-20 |access-date=2010-02-16 |publisher=Sacred Destinations |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dubrovnik-online.net/english/monuments4.php |title=Monuments (16 to 20) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714093315/http://www.dubrovnik-online.com/english/monuments4.php |archive-date=2010-07-14 |access-date=2010-02-16 |publisher=Dubrovnik Online |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Dominican monastery has a library with 216 [[incunable|incunabula]], illustrated manuscripts, an archive and an art collection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-destinations.com/croatia/dubrovnik-dominican-monastery.htm |title=Dominican Friary, Dubrovnik |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102080947/http://sacred-destinations.com/croatia/dubrovnik-dominican-monastery.htm |archive-date=2010-01-02 |access-date=2010-02-16 |publisher=Sacred Destinations |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.croatiatraveller.com/southern_dalmatia/Dubrovnik/Dominican.htm |title=Dominican Monastery |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104014716/http://croatiatraveller.com/southern_dalmatia/Dubrovnik/Dominican.htm |publisher=Croatia Traveller |last=Oliver |first=Jeanne |archive-date=2010-01-04 |access-date=2010-02-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dubrovnik-online.net/english/monuments5.php |title=Monuments (21 To 22) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725060316/http://www.dubrovnik-online.com/english/monuments5.php |publisher=Dubrovnik Online |archive-date=2009-07-25 |access-date=2010-02-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Dubrovnik 2016-05-26 DSC06252 view from the wall - cropped.jpg|left|thumb|Domes of Dubrovnik: [[Dubrovnik Bell Tower|Bell Tower]] (left), [[Dubrovnik Cathedral]] (center) and St Blaise's church (right)]]

The Neapolitan architect and engineer [[Onofrio della Cava]] completed the aqueduct with two public fountains, both built in 1438. Close to the Pile Gate stands the Big Onofrio's Fountain in the middle of a small square. It may have been inspired by the former Romanesque baptistry of the former cathedral in Bunić Square. The sculptural elements were lost in the earthquake of 1667. Water jets gush out of the mouth of the sixteen [[Mascaron (architecture)|mascaron]]s. The Little Onofrio's Fountain stands at the eastern side of the Placa, supplying water to the market place in the Luža Square. The sculptures were made by the Milanese artist [[Pietro di Martino]] (who also sculpted the ornaments in the Rector's Palace and made a statue – now lost – for the Franciscan church).

The {{convert|31|m|ft|adj=mid|-high}} [[Dubrovnik Bell Tower]], built in 1444, is one of the symbols of the free city state of Ragusa. It was built by the local architects Grubačević, Utišenović and Radončić. It was rebuilt in 1929 as it had lost its stability through an earthquake and was in danger of falling. The brass face of the clock shows the phases of the moon. Two human figures strike the bell every hour. The tower stands next to the House of the Main Guard, also built in Gothic style. It was the residence of the admiral, commander-in-chief of the army. The Baroque portal was built between 1706 and 1708 by the Venetian architect [[Marino Gropelli]] (who also built St Blaise's church).

[[File:Dubrovnik City from the Walls.jpg|thumb|left|Dubrovnik's red roof tiles]]
In 1418, the Republic of Ragusa, as Dubrovnik was then named, erected a statue of Roland (Ital. Orlando) as a symbol of loyalty to [[Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor|Sigismund of Luxembourg]] (1368–1437), King of Hungary and Croatia (as of 1387), Prince-Elector of Brandenburg (between 1378 and 1388 and again between 1411 and 1415), German King (as of 1411), King of Bohemia (as of 1419) and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (as of 1433), who helped by a successful war alliance against Venice to retain Ragusa's independence. It stands in the middle of Luža Square. Roland statues were typical symbols of city autonomy or independence, often erected under Sigismund in his Electorate of Brandenburg. In 1419 the sculptor [[Bonino of Milano]], with the help of local craftsmen, replaced the first Roland with the present Gothic statue. Its forearm was for a long time the unit of measure in Dubrovnik: one [[ell]] of Dubrovnik is equal to {{convert|51.2|cm|1|abbr=on}}.
<gallery widths="100">
File:Saint Blaise's Church, Dubrovnik - September 2017.jpg|Saint Blaise's Church
File:Saint Ignatius Church, Dubrovnik - September 2017.jpg|Saint Ignatius Church, part of former Jesuit ''[[Collegium Ragusinum]]''
File:Cathedral of the Assumption, Dubrovnik 05.jpg|Cathedral of the Assumption
File:Franciscan Monastery in Dubrovnik 01.jpg|The Franciscan Monastery
File:Main street-Dubrovnik-2.jpg|[[Stradun (street)|Stradun]], Dubrovnik's main street
File:Clock Tower of Dubrovnik 01.jpg|[[Dubrovnik Bell Tower]]
</gallery>

===Walls of Dubrovnik===

[[File:Casco viejo de Dubrovnik, Croacia, 2014-04-13, DD 18.JPG|thumb|right|[[Walls of Dubrovnik|Minčeta Tower]]]]

{{Main|Walls of Dubrovnik}}

A feature of Dubrovnik is its walls which run almost {{convert|2|km|mi|abbr=off}} around the city. The walls are {{convert|4|to(-)|6|m|ft|0|abbr=off}} thick on the landward side but are much thinner on the seaward side. The system of turrets and towers was intended to protect the vulnerable city. The walls of Dubrovnik have also been a popular filming location for the fictional city of King's Landing in the [[HBO]] television series, ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.croatiatraveller.com/southern_dalmatia/Dubrovnik/Walls.htm |title=Dubrovnik's Walls |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104014840/http://croatiatraveller.com/southern_dalmatia/Dubrovnik/Walls.htm |archive-date=2010-01-04 |access-date=2010-02-16 |publisher=Croatia Traveller |last=Oliver |first=Jeanne |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 
The walls have been visited by 1.3 million people in 2018.