Croatia - Eastern Europe - page 152

when it was completed in 1444, but the
iron embellishments were destroyed in
the 1667 earthquake.
Stay left. The first building on your left is:
4 Church of Our Saviour
This tiny church was built as a memorial
to the victims of a 1520 earthquake, but
it became a symbol of strength when it
became one of the few buildings to sur-
vive the 1667 quake that destroyed most
of the city. Today it is used for concerts
and exhibits.
Walk on a few steps to:
5 The Franciscan Monastery/
Museum
Before you explore this building with its
columned cloister and ancient pharmacy,
note the small stone protruding from the
bottom left of the church's front (p. 148)
and the people who keep jumping on it.
This building, with its garden, architec-
tural features, pharmacy, and museum
exhibits is worth a visit (p. 148).
Exit the monastery and begin your Stradun stroll
in earnest to investigate the:
6 Stradun Shops & Side Streets
The Stradun (aka Placa) runs to the clock
tower and the Plo c e Gate. All the build-
ings along the way are almost identical in
style, a result of post-quake construction
in the 17th century. Note the arches that
frame a combo door and window. The sill
was used as a counter over which business
was conducted. If you are up for a detour,
head up Z udioska Street to visit the sec-
ond-oldest synagogue in Europe and its
original 17th-century furnishings.
Continue along the Stradun past Zlatarska
Street to the:
7 Sponza Palace
As you approach Lu z a Square, note the
graceful Renaissance arches of the
Sponza Palace (p. 149), which used to be
Dubrovnik's Customs House. Today it
houses the Memorial Room of the
Dubrovnik Defenders, a visual tribute
to the more than 300 people who were

killed from October 1, 1991, to October
26, 1992, while defending Dubrovnik
against Serb attacks. Multimedia images
of the destruction and photos of the
young people who died in the conflict are
moving reminders of the devastation that
swept Croatia at that time.
Exit the palace and walk up to Orlando's Col-
umn in the center of Luza Square and pause at:
8 Orlando's Column & Onofrio's
Small Fountain
Orlando's Column (p. 148) will be in
front of you as you exit the Palace and the
Clock Tower will be to your left. Note
the statue's forearm, which was Old
Ragusa's standard of measurement
(512mm/20 in.). The Clock Tower fea-
tures a pair of bronze men that move up
to strike the bell on the hour. The To w n
Hall is the large building to the right of
the Clock Tower and Onofrio's Small
Fountain is in front of that.
Turn left from the front of Orlando's Column and
walk through the passageway between the
Sponza Palace and the Town Hall. Turn left and
head to the Dominican Monastery:
9 Dominican Monastery, the Old
Port & the Ploce Gate
The Dominican Monastery is a complex
that includes a large church, cloisters, and
a museum. The original 14th-century
church was destroyed in the 1667 quake
and this one was rebuilt in the 17th cen-
tury. There are some interesting paintings
inside and the church also doubles as a
concert venue during the Summer Festi-
val. The cloisters are a must-see with
courtyard gardens and interesting
stonework (p. 149).
Exit the monastery and left onto Svetoga
Dominika. Continue on to explore the Old Har-
bor, Ploce Gate, and Revelin Fortress and/or
retrace your steps and return to Luza Square:
0 Gradska Kavana & the Rector's
Palace
As you return from the Dominican
Monastery, the Town Hall and Gradska
Kavana (Town Café) will be on your left.