Dubrovnik - the days before wedding

There are hundreds of reasons to get married in Dubrovnik. But several really need to be pointed out. Dubrovnik has more than 250 days of sunshine a year, its sea is clean with beautiful beaches. The food is fantastic and rich in natural flavors, people are accessible, and wherever you look, the view leaves you breathless. Beautiful palaces, highly elevatedforts, renovated villas, the famous city walls – all of these are reasons for a wedding in Dubrovnik, a fairytale wedding.

Couples often ask me what they and their guests can see and visit in Dubrovnik in the days before the wedding. This is the reason why I decided to dedicate this blog post to the sights and attractions of Dubrovnik.

Wherever you look, the view leaves you breathless. Beautiful palaces, highly elevatedforts, renovated villas, the famous city walls – all of these are reasons for a wedding in Dubrovnik, a fairytale wedding.

Dubrovnik City Walls

Iconic walls are one of the most beautiful and strongest fort systems in the Mediterranean. It represents one of the biggest attractions for the visitors. Dubrovnik City walls run uninterrupted for 1940 meters (6365 feet) encircling the City and consists of a series of forts, bastions, casemates, towers and detached forts, so city of Dubrovnik is completely surrounded with walls including the Old Dubrovnik Port. The walls were built systematically throughout history; the walls have been preserved to the present day and are still functional. The design of the walls dates from the 14th century. The irregular shape formed by the walls is protected by strong forts. The most important point in the defense system toward the land is the Tower Minčeta. It was built in 1319, and the name derives from the name of the Menčetić family. It is also the highest point of the wall.

The Sponza Palace

It was built in the 16th century, in the specific Gothic-Renaissance style typical for Dubrovnik. Originally, the palace served as the customs house, and then it became the state treasury, a bank, a mint, a school and a treasury. Today, this palace is one of the most favourite places where a wedding ceremony can be held. It is particularly interesting to note that the main palace wall bears the latin inscription which says:

Our weights do not permit cheating or being cheated. When I measure commodities the Lord measures them with me.

St. John's Fortress

Monumental building located on the south-eastern side of the Old City Port. Once it was controlling and protecting entrance to the Dubrovnik Port and today it is a home of Maritime Museum and the Aquarium containing documents and objects of great importance from Dubrovnik history. Fortress Revelin was first built in 1462, later Dubrovnik Senat approved its reconstruction so in 1538 it become new, stronger building protecting eastern land approach to the city. The western entrance to the city is protected by the strong and beautiful Bokar fortress (Zvjezdan). The famous fortress on the western end of the city is Fortress Lovrijenac, it was built on the 37 meter high rock. Today these fortresses are used as a stage for events in the Dubrovnik Summer Festival.

Placa (Stradun)

The most popular promenade, gathering place and business street of the old Dubrovnik centre. This widest and most beautiful street shortest communication between the western and the eastern gates, Pile and Ploče gate, and in the same time it divides the old city into northern and southern part. This street was created at the close of the 11th century. Placa acquired its proper function at the end of the 12th century when city got its city wall and become one urban area.

Lovrjenac Fort

To the west of the Old Town at the top of a 37-meter high cliff is located the Lovrjenac Fort, a symbol of survival and freedom of Dubrovnik, which has served the defense of the city and the western gate of Pile. Above the entrance there is the famous inscription:

Freedom cannot be sold for all the richness of the world.

The first official documents mention this fortress only in 1301 although it is assumed that its construction began earlier. Today Lovrjenac is known as a summer theater for the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, particularly for performing the works of William Shakespeare. It is interesting to note that among the famous actors who embodied the character of the Danish prince were Daniel Day Lewis and Goran Visnjic.

St. Blaise Church

The church has a richly decorated façade with a portal, and wide stairs at the front. The central area of ​the church is covered by a dome. On the main marble altar there is a statue of St. Blaise made of gilded silver, the work of the masters of the 15th century.

Plenty of other attractions

I have listed just a few sights which you should most definitely visit, but there are so many things to see in Dubrovnik, a wealth of attractions for visitors in which, I am positive, you will enjoy. To name a few: The Cathedral, The Synagogue, St. Ignatius Church, Dominican monastery, Franciscan monastery, Rector's palace..

Enjoy, I know you will!
Renata