Dubrovnik has a rich history, and visiting the museums in town offers you a glimpse into the past of the small but powerful Ragusan Republic. All the museums are indoors so you are safe on a rainy day in Dubrovnik.
Museums that are included in the price of the Dubrovnik pass are: Rector’s Palace, Ethnographical museum, Maritime museum, Museum of modern art, Dubrovnik Natural history museum and Franciscan Monastery museum.
Some of our favourite picks for Old Town museums are:
Rector’s Palace (included in the Dubrovnik pass)– Centre of government and seat of the Rector of the Republic of Ragusa between the 14th century and 1808. It also housed an armoury, the powder magazine, the watch house and a prison. It is a stunning Gothic-Renaissance building housing 20,000 objects from city’s history and culture from the 1300s to the early 20th century.
Ethnographical Museum Rupe (included in the Dubrovnik pass)– located in an old granary dating to the 16th century, here you can see traditional costumes, jewellry and farming/household equipment. Get a glimpse into Dubrovnik lifestyle and culture years ago.
Pharmacy & Franciscan Monastery (included in the Dubrovnik pass) – This is the third oldest pharmacy in Europe, which has been active uninterruptedly since 1317. It’s library stores many recipes, from secret potions and elixirs of youth, to ordinary medicine.
Sponza Palace – its just one of the remaining buildings from the Old Town that have survived the Great Earthquake in 1667. It’s a beautiful palace that now houses Dubrovnik Archives, considered to be among the richest in Europe.
Cathedral & Treasury – The legend says King Richard Lion-Heart shipwrecked on the island of Lokrum when returning from the Third Crusade. Happy for surviving, he donated money for the completion of Cathedral. The Treasury inside the cathedral houses more than 130 relics of saints from 11-19th century.
Dominican Monastery – a small museum containing historical roman catholic artefacts.
Red History Museum is the newest addition to the museum selection, and it is remarkable. It is located outside of the city walls so it is a very cool thing to do if you want to escape the Old Town Crowds. Head to Gruž area to discover the origins of the communist idea and how it spread around the globe and to the area of today’s Croatia.
