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Home|Football News|Soccer in the Balkans|Dubrovnik Guide
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Dubrovnik Guide - Croatia
Dubrovnik
The charming, and, indeed, ancient, city of Dubrovnik - often referred to as "The Jewel of the Adriatic" - to the south of the Republic of Croatia, experiences a typical "Mediterranean" climate, with hot, dry summers, and somewhat wetter, but nevertheless mild, winters. There are, however, still many sunny days during the winter months, and average annual temperatures are in the region of 17 degrees Celsius. Dubrovnik, itself, is steeped in history and cultural heritage, and is surrounded by a rich diversity of landscape - glorious, white pebble, and sandy beaches, steep, rugged cliffs and densely wooded islands, are just some examples - and flora - pine, olive, and citrus trees, again to name but a few - and creates a memorable, and fragrant, impression on its many visitors. History 
It would be fair to say that Dubrovnik has experienced something of a chequered history, since its original construction - as a fortified refuge, originally known as "Ragusa" - in the 7th century. The Republic of Ragusa grew in prosperity, and influence, in the intervening centuries, to rival that of Venice, for control of the Adriatic trade routes, but, in 1667, Dubrovnik - and its Renaissance architecture - was largely destroyed by an earthquake. More recently, in the early 1990s, the city suffered the ravages of modern warfare, and was shelled intermittently with an estimated two-thirds of the city's buildings suffering some damage. Thankfully, however, the damage caused by this most recent conflict has been largely restored, indeed, such that Dubrovnik is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Attractions The most obvious, and distinctive landmark of Dubrovnik is its heavily fortified city wall, one of Europe's most impressive defence systems, over 6,000 feet (1,940m) in total length, and enclosing the city, in its entirety. The Minceta Tower (often used for weddings), Fort Bokar and St. John's Fortress are popular vantage points for views of the city and it surroundings including the islet of Lokrum, and, during the Dubrovnik Summer Festival ("Dubrovacke Ljetne Igre"), performances take place in St. John's Fortress and Fort Revelin. Elsewhere, Dubrovnik Cathedral, rebuilt in Baroque style following the earthquake of 1667, is a feast of art and architecture, featuring paintings by the Old Masters, statues and religious relics. There are 138 gold and silver reliquaries - some of which are set with jewels or decorated with reliefs - most of which were made by Dubrovnik goldsmiths from the 11th to 17th centuries. The reliquaries contain bits and pieces of Sveti Vlaho (St Blaise), Dubrovnik's patron saint, and an alleged fragment of the Holy Cross. Dubrovnik has a selection of interesting museums too. St. John's Fort houses the Maritime Museum (Tel: 426 465) that presents the history of Dubrovnik as a sea-trading city. The Ethnographic Museum in the Rupe Granary (Tel: 412 545) has exhibits on the agriculture of the Dalmatian region. Dubrovnik's Museum of Modern Art (Tel: 426 590) has contemporary Croatian art including the work of Vlaho Bukovac (1855-1922), a local artist who was part of the Impressionist movement in Paris. For the more adventurous, the Adriatic coast off Dubrovnik is very popular with sailors, with many islands, natural harbors, ports and marinas. Boats are available for rent, or charter, and regular ferries run from the port of Dubrovnik - Port Gruz - to the islands of the Elaphite Archipelago, or to the beautiful, wooded island of Mljet, with its national park and salt water lakes. The waters of the Adriatic are rich in game fish, and you can also book an accompanied excursion, with an experienced fisherman, with local knowledge, to show you the ropes, so to speak. Camping in the Dubrovnik region is also popular, and you can choose from the modern, spacious and well-equipped site at Solitudo - which, despite its name, is only 20 minutes' drive from the city centre - or sites slightly further afield, such as those in Zupa, or Peljesac. Accommodation & Major HotelsHoliday homes in Dubrovnik are varied, conveniently situated, for the city and the surrounding beaches, and attractively priced. You might like to choose an air-conditioned apartment, complete with all modern conveniences, on the slopes overlooking the city, providing beautiful views of the city, itself, the sea and the island of Lokrum, or if you have a larger family, a villa, complete with outdoor terrace, and cooking facilities - but, whichever type of property you choose you will find modern tourist facilities in very close proximity.
Hotel
Adriatic
Hotel Ivka Hotels
in Dubrovnik - Bookings Foreign visitors usually have a good time in Croatia, because of the low crime rate, decent accommodation and the fact that many locals speak foreign languages and actually like to mingle with foreign tourists. CurrencyThe legal currency is kuna (Croatian for marten, a popular local mammal), which is semi-convertible. You can exchange pounds or euros into kunas at hundreds of exchange offices found just about everywhere in the city. Since anyone can also convert kunas into foreign currency, there is no black market for foreign exchange so all transactions should be carried out at official exchange businesses rather than in the street. Exchange rates vary from place to place, but remember that a 100
GBP will buy you about 1100 kunas, 100 euros 740 kunas, and 100
dollars 580 kunas (2006 rates). EntertainmentBars + cafésDubrovnik has a number of good bars, discos and upmarket cafés - Buniceva Poljana and Jelacica in Lapad are the places to head for for outdoor cafes and bars. Enjoy a sunset cocktail in a number of good bars in Dalmatia. List your bar, cafe or club here. Contact Us RestaurantsThere are plenty of good restaurants on Prijeko, a street running parallel to Placa, though somewhat geared for the passing tourist trade. Lapad has plenty of good eateries too, including the excellent Levenat (Tel: 435 352). Dalmatian cuisine is an offshoot of Mediterranean cuisine - light, genuine and simple to prepare. It is hard to believe how much magic a bit of olive oil, garlic, pepper and salt can create. List your restaurant, bar or club in Dubrovnik here. Contact Us Important telephone numbers
92 - police Public InternetList your internet cafe here for FREE! Contact Us Tourist Information CentersDubrovnik Tourist Board Old Town Harbor Pile Gate Getting to DubrovnikAirFrom Zagreb's Pleso Airport (tel. 01 62 65 222) there are flights to Dubrovnik with Croatia Airlines. Air
France TrainThe nearest railheads in Croatia to Dubrovnik are Ploce and Split. Split has rail connections to Zagreb (six hours) by express train and also overnight trains (8 hours, 30 mins). From Ploce the line heads to Sarajevo (4-5 hours). Bus/RoadThere are daily buses from Dubrovnik to Zagreb (11 hours), Rijeka (12 hours), and Zadar (8 hours). BoatThere are Jadrolinija (Croatia's national ferry service; Tel: 338 333) boats including both passenger and car ferries from the ferry terminal to Hvar Island, Rijeka, Split and Zadar. There is an Azzurra Line ferry service from Dubrovnik to Bari in Italy (10 hours). Getting AroundThere are local buses, taxis and boats to the offshore islands. Car hire can work out economical if you are staying for any length of time. It is possible to hire bicycles in a number of Dalmatian towns. Weather The climate is mild Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and temperate,
humid winters. |
Croatian Soccer
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