Old City of Dubrovnik, Croatia – Small Settlement In Pre-Historic Times

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Dubrovnik is one of the world’s most amazing and best preserved medieval walled cities in the world. Recently it became even more popular as the filming location of “Game of Thrones” King’s Landing.

Founded in the 7th century, a free state between the 14th and 19th centuries, Dubrovnik became an important Mediterranean Sea power and rivaled Venice as a trading port.

The Old City of Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding medieval architecture and fortified old town, for its beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains.

EARLY HISTORY OF DUBROVNIK

The main history of Dubrovnik usually starts with a small settlement on the town’s site in pre-historic times.

This settlement, in fact, was on an island called Laus which was, at that time, separated from the mainland by a marsh.

There was also a larger Greek settlement nearby in what was called Epidauros (present-day Cavtat).

An invasion by Slavs in the 7th century destroyed Epidauros and other communities in the area, causing inhabitants to flee to Laus. Laus eventually changed to Raus which in turn became Ragusa – which is the historic name for Dubrovnik.

Around this time, Dubrovnik itself was founded by Croats. The name stems from dub which means oak and dubrava which means wood. (Unsurprisingly, the settlement was by an oak forest.)

Ragusa and Dubrovnik eventually merged when the marshland between them was filled in.

Another theory about Dubrovnik’s history which is gaining weight is that there was a large Greek settlement where Dubrovnik is situated today and that the city in fact has Greek origins.

THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF RAGUSA

Dubrovnik expanded considerably from the 9th century onwards and as part of the Byzantine Empire.

By the 12th century it was even considered somewhat of a threat to Venice and its Republic. It came under attack from Venice, and from 1205 to 1358 fell under its rule.

The old town was completed in the 13th century and remains virtually unchanged to the present day.

Tall ramparts surround it and there are only two entrances to the old town which lead to Stradun, the city’s promenade.

In 1358 the Treaty of Zadar saw Dubrovnik cease being under Venice’s rule and instead become Croat-Hungarian, although it had a great deal of independence.

From the 13th century onwards, Dubrovnik experienced a number of important developments which increased its prominence. The Statutes of 1272 laid the groundwork for political and legal life in the city.

From the 14th century trade with the local region flourished and the city also prospered industrially and culturally. Dubrovnik had a number of advanced establishments for that time. A pharmacy was opened in 1317 and an orphanage in 1432.

FALL OF THE REPUBLIC

Dubrovnik was hit by an earthquake on 6 April 1667. About 5,000 inhabitants died and much of the city was destroyed, although the city walls remained standing.

The city was weakened, and when in 1806 Napoleon entered Dubrovnik there was little resistance. The Republic of Ragusa was officially dissolved in 1808. However, after Napoleon’s fall, Dubrovnik became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1815.

HISTORY OF DUBROVNIK IN YUGOSLAVIA AND CROATIA

After World War I, Dubrovnik became part of Croatia which was part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. This became Yugoslavia after World War II.

Dubrovnik was subjected to considerable shelling by the Serbs during the war in 1991/2, in a siege that lasted seven months. The Old Town suffered considered damage, but was quickly restored to its former beauty.