Be sure to have a look in the cathedral treasury – it contains over 180 relics from as far back as the 11th century.
You might find it hard to believe, but Dubrovnik Cathedral has a strong connection to medieval English history. When the great English king Richard the Lionheart was returning from the Crusades in 1192, his ship was caught in a severe storm and was wrecked off the island of Lokrum. Many of those on board drowned, but Richard himself was fortunate enough to survive. As a religious man returning from a holy war, he took this to be an act of divine intervention and decided to build a cathedral in nearby Dubrovnik as an offering of thanks.
Ancient Importance
For many years, Dubrovinik Cathedral was thought to be the first church built on the location, but during a series of renovations in 1981 experts were stunned to discover foundations of a previous cathedral dating from over 500 years before Richard, in the 7th century, thus demonstrating the longstanding importance of the city. Either way, the Lionheart’s cathedral was destroyed, along with most of Dubrovnik, in the great earthquake of 1667. A number of renowned Italian architects were commissioned to design a replacement, completed in 1713, and aside from a stray shell during the 1992 Siege of Dubrovnik, the building has remained untouched ever since.
Exquisite Iconography
Among the features of the new design were a set of large thermal windows on the upper level, which give the spacious nave a bright, open feel. Don’t miss the superb Altar of St. John of Nepomuk, carved from purple marble, or the large polyptych on the main altar, painted by the great Venetian artist Titian, of The Assumption of Mary.
The medieval Old Town of Dubrovnik is a UNESCO-protected and remarkably well-preserved area, featuring distinctive limestone streets lined with beautiful buildings that tell the stories of centuries past. From the city’s foundation in the 7th Century to its illustrious era as a city-state and major maritime trading hub known as the Ragusa Republic. Our private 3-hour history and heritage tour peels back the layers of Dubrovnik, revealing its most intriguing tales through a carefully curated selection of key landmarks.
On this private 3-hour tour, you will:
For those who want a deeper introduction to Dubrovnik, this immersive three-hour private tour offers a comprehensive look into the city's incredible history and its architectural masterpieces. Led by a knowledgeable local expert guide, the itinerary is designed for those seeking meaningful context behind the beauty of Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
The tour begins at the monumental Pile Gate, where stone walls and drawbridges hint at the military might that kept this small republic fiercely independent for centuries. From there, you will step into a city that seems untouched by time. You’ll take a moment to check out Onofrio’s Fountain, and learn about the man who gave it his name, a renowned architect who brought engineering ingenuity from Naples to serve the needs of a growing maritime power in the 15th Century. Your guide will then lead you through the peaceful cloisters of the Franciscan Monastery complex, home to a library of rare manuscripts, a Romanesque church, and one of the oldest continuously operating pharmacies in Europe, established in the early 14th century. More than a religious site, you’ll discover how the monastery is a living link to Dubrovnik’s humanitarian and intellectual roots.
As you stroll along Stradun, the gleaming central boulevard, your guide will explain the different stages of Dubrovnik’s development, from its early Slavic origins and Byzantine ties to its peak as the Republic of Ragusa, a sophisticated city-state whose diplomatic finesse and maritime trading networks rivalled those of Venice. You’ll soon find yourself in Luža Square, a major gathering place for centuries, framed by the harmonious facades of the Sponza Palace and the stately City Bell Tower. While many pass these landmarks with a glance, your guide will reveal Sponza's former lives as a customs house, mint, and now the city archives, as well as the specially built statues installed within the Bell Tower, which have become beloved local emblems.
You will also have the chance to visit the Rector’s Palace, once the seat of power for elected leaders of the Republic. You’ll walk through chambers that blend Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, reflecting the city’s architectural evolution. Your guide can regale you with stories of justice, diplomacy, and scandal, all played out within these elegant walls. After leaving the palace, you’ll spend some time in the magnificent Dubrovnik Cathedral. Built on the ruins of earlier churches and adorned with precious relics, you’ll see how it can be seen as an enduring symbol of the city’s resilience, rebuilt in Baroque style after the devastating 1667 earthquake.
Your tour concludes in Gundulić Square, a charming enclave that hosts a daily morning market, named after Ragusa’s most renowned poet. Before bidding goodbye to your guide, you’ll get plenty of recommendations on where to eat, what to explore next, and how to make the most of your time in this extraordinary city. Thoughtfully paced and rich with historical insight, this experience is ideal for travellers eager to move beyond the postcard views and understand what truly made Dubrovnik one of the great cultural capitals of the Mediterranean.
Dubrovnik is widely known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, and anyone who walks around its beautiful and historic Old Town will soon see why. Our 3-hour private walking tour is a great way to immerse yourself in the history and culture of this majestic city, and also gives you the chance to wander its world-famous walls. All the while, you’ll be accompanied by a local expert guide who can share intriguing anecdotes and point out the best spots to take in magnificent views of the shimmering sea and terracotta rooftops.
On your private tour, you will:
Step into centuries of history on this captivating 3-hour private walking tour of Dubrovnik, designed to give you both a comprehensive city orientation and the unforgettable experience of walking its iconic medieval walls. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, this journey offers a perfect mix of storytelling, architecture, and awe-inspiring views, with a flexible ending tailored to your interests. Your tour begins in the heart of the Old Town at a majestic fountain designed by a famous Italian architect. After getting acquainted with your guide, you will meander through the historic Pile area while hearing stories of how the city first took shape. You will pass the Church of St. Saviour, built in gratitude after an earthquake failed to destroy the city, and pause by the Franciscan Monastery, home to one of Europe’s oldest working pharmacies founded over 700 years ago.
As you stroll down Stradun, Dubrovnik’s dazzling main street, your guide will bring the city's layers of history to life, from its golden era as the Republic of Ragusa to its defiance during the 1991 siege. You'll slip into Prijeko Street, a quieter, charming lane lined with stone façades and family-run businesses, before arriving at Luza Square, the city’s historic heart. Here, you’ll find a cluster of architectural gems: the elegant Sponza Palace, the symbolic Orlando’s Column, the Church of St. Blaise with its lavish baroque façade, and the stately Rector’s Palace, once the seat of power for the Republic. You'll also take in the Jesuit Staircase, Dubrovnik’s mini Spanish Steps, and the neighbouring Cathedral of the Assumption, a striking Baroque structure said to have been commissioned by Richard the Lionheart himself after being shipwrecked near Dubrovnik on the way home from the Third Crusade.
With the city’s most important landmarks now under your belt, your guide will lead you to St. John’s Fort, where you’ll begin your walk along the city walls, one of the best-preserved medieval fortification systems in the world. Tickets are included, and the views are nothing short of spectacular: you’ll admire red-roofed buildings tumbling down toward the sparkling Adriatic, the curve of the Old Port below, and the rugged cliffs of Lokrum Island just offshore. During your journey, you’ll pass Saint Barbara Tower, Fort Bokar, and climb to the mighty Minčeta Tower, the highest point on the walls and a symbol of Dubrovnik’s impenetrability. Along the way, your guide will share the dramatic stories of battles, diplomacy, and the resilience that helped the city survive for centuries.
The tour ends on your terms. You have the option to complete the full circuit of the walls at your own pace or to exit halfway at Pile Gate and unwind nearby or continue exploring the Old Town at your leisure. Your guide will be happy to adapt the experience to your preferences and provide plenty of insider recommendations. As a bonus, your tickets to access the city walls are also valid for entering Fort Lovrijenac (St. Lawrence Fortress), which you are free to explore on your own. This impressive fortress just outside the city walls is known as Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar and is well worth a visit to see more of Dubrovnik’s well-preserved military architecture and stunning landscapes.
Whether it’s your first time in Dubrovnik or you’re returning to the city, this private tour offers the perfect balance of history, beauty, and flexibility, helping you capture the essence of the Pearl of the Adriatic.
Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," Dubrovnik is one of Croatia’s most beautiful and historic cities. Its spectacular coastal setting, combined with its well-preserved medieval Old Town, never fails to captivate visitors. Embarking on a private tour led by a local expert guide is a wonderful way to get a crash course in Dubrovnik’s history and culture, navigating the cobbled streets with ease and getting a feel for what makes the city special.
On your 2-hour private walking tour, you will:
Delve into the stories of Dubrovnik’s Old Town on a private walking tour designed for curious travellers eager to uncover the city's rich past and vibrant present. Your journey begins at the imposing Pile Gate, the historic western entrance that has welcomed visitors into the walled city since the 15th century. From there, you’ll step onto centuries-old limestone streets and immediately feel the atmosphere of a place where time seems to stand still.
Your guide will lead you to Onofrio's Fountain, a masterpiece of medieval engineering that once supplied the entire city with fresh water, before pausing outside the serene Franciscan Monastery. Here, nestled behind cloistered arcades, lies one of Europe’s oldest still-functioning pharmacies, dating back to 1317. As you continue along the gorgeous, gleaming stretch of Stradun, Dubrovnik’s most famous street, your guide will regale you with stories of merchants, nobles, and commoners who once crossed the same polished stones.
Once you make your way through Luža Square, the symbolic heart of the city, you’ll be surrounded by a cluster of architectural gems. You will admire the stately Sponza Palace and learn how this elegant building transitioned over the centuries from a customs house to a mint, and now, a city archive. You’ll take a moment to gaze up at the nearby City Bell Tower, where the beloved bronze “Green Men” still strike the bell each hour as they have for hundreds of years. Outside the Rector’s Palace, you'll hear about the powerful leaders who ruled the Republic of Ragusa, a thriving and independent maritime state located in present-day Dubrovnik that once rivalled Venice in influence and wealth. A short walk away, you can take in the grandeur of Dubrovnik Cathedral, where your guide can reveal its turbulent history and point out some of the intriguing Baroque details in the facade.
Your tour will conclude amid the lively and colourful Gundulić Square Market, where locals shop for seasonal fruits, herbs, olive oil, and lavender. It’s the perfect place to soak in the daily rhythm of Dubrovnik life, pick up some unique souvenirs, ask your guide for tailored recommendations, and plan how to spend the rest of your stay, whether it’s walking the mighty city walls, exploring hidden coves, or sampling seafood at a tucked-away konoba.
This rich introduction to Dubrovnik is ideal for first-time visitors looking to make the most of their time while gaining a deeper appreciation for one of Europe’s most enchanting coastal cities.
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