Dubrovnik - Rector's Palace

Dubrovnik was founded probably within the 6th century. It grew in medieval times and was known as "Republic of Ragusa" between 1358 to 1808. It was added to the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy - and after the Congress of Vienna was part of the Habsburg Empire.

The old town of Dubrovnik, since 1979 on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, is a wonderful city - and a major tourist destination. The center of Dubrovnik is small, so it can get pretty crowded, when two cruise ships have arrived - even in October.

The Rector's Palace in the center of the old town used to serve as the seat of the Rector of the Republic of Ragusa. It housed as well an armoury, a powder magazine and a prison.

The previous existing building was destroyed by a fire in 1435. The job, to build a new palace here was offered Onofrio della Cava of Naples, a master builder, who had previously built the aqueduct of Ragusa. A gunpowder explosion damaged the building in 1463. The renewal brought some Renaissance style to the previous Gothic palace, that after the earthquake of 1667 was reconstructed in Baroque style.

Seen in the backdrop is the "Sponza Palace" (aka "Divona")