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Dubrovnik was founded in the first half of the 7th century by a group of
refugees from Epidaurum (today's Cavtat). They established their settlement
at the island and named it Laus. Opposite of that location, at the foot of
Srš Mountain, Slavs developed their own settlement under the name of
Dubrovnik (named by "Dub" - type of wood). |
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he settlements were separated by a channel which was filled in 12th century,
present Placa or Stradun, and since than the two settlements have been
united. At that time the city walls started to be built as a protection from
different enemies ( Arabs, Venetian, Macedonians, Serbs, etc.), who wanted
to conquer Dubrovnik. |
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The citizens were permitted to hold only minor offices, while plebeians had
no voice in government. Marriage between members of different classes of the
society was forbidden. The administrative bodies were the Grand Council
(supreme governing body) and the Small Council (executive power) (from
1238.) and the Senate (from 1253). The head of the state was the Duke,
elected for a term of office for one month. |
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A crisis of Mediterranean shipping and
especially a catastrophic earthquake on the 6th of April 1667 that killed
over 5000 citizens, including the Rector, leveling most of the public
buildings, ruined the well-being of the Republic.
With great effort the Republic recovered a bit, but still remained a shadow
of the former Republic. |
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In 1806 Dubrovnik surrendered to French forces, as that was the only way to
cut a month's long siege by the Russian-Montenegrin fleets (during which
3000 cannon balls fell on the city). The French lifted the
Russian-Montenegrin fleets and saved Dubrovnik for the time being. The
French army, led by Napoleon, entered Dubrovnik in 1806 In 1808 Marshal
Marmot abolished the Dubrovnik Republic. |
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In 1806 Dubrovnik surrendered to French forces, as that was the only way to
cut a month's long siege by the Russian-Montenegrin fleets (during which
3000 cannon balls fell on the city). The French lifted the
Russian-Montenegrin fleets and saved Dubrovnik for the time being. The
French army, led by Napoleon, entered Dubrovnik in 1806 In 1808 Marshal
Marmot abolished the Dubrovnik Republic. The today's name of Dubrovnik is
derived from the Croatian word Dubrava, which means oak woods as, in the
past, oak trees surrounded Dubrovnik. The Latin name Ragusa - Rausa, in use
until the 15th century, originated from the rock (lat. Lausa - meaning rock)
where the first settlement was established. |
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At October 1, 1991 Dubrovnik was brutally attacked by the
Serbo-Montenegrin army. The Serbo-Montenegrin siege of Dubrovnik lasted for
seven months, and in May 1992 the Croatian Army liberated Dubrovnik and its
surroundings, but the danger of Serbo - Montenegrin sudden attacks lasted
for another three years. Today, Dubrovnik is a free and safe town, worldly
known, and the most popular tourist destination in Croatia. |
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