From Ragusium to the Republic
Dubrovnik was founded in the 7th century — when refugees from the destroyed Roman city of Epidaurum (today Cavtat) found refuge on the rocky peninsula of Lausa. The Latin settlement Ragusium grew rapidly: strategically located on the Adriatic coast, it became a trading hub between East and West.
The Republic of Ragusa (1358–1808)
In the 14th century, Ragusa freed itself from Venetian influence and became an independent republic — a city-state with its own senate, fleet, and currency. Ragusa was at its peak one of the most significant maritime republics of the Mediterranean:
- 1416: Ragusa was one of the first societies in the world to abolish the slave trade — more than 400 years before Britain.
- Diplomatic skill: Wedged between the Ottoman Empire and Venice, Ragusa survived through clever diplomacy: paying tribute to the Sultan, maintaining trade relations with Venice and the Pope, thus preserving its independence.
- Trading fleet: At its peak, Ragusa owned over 200 ships — the third-largest fleet in the Mediterranean. Trade extended from Constantinople to England.
- Freedom as the highest value: Above the Pile Gate, the motto of the Republic still stands: „Libertas" (Freedom). Ragusa defined itself by its independence — a legacy that still shapes Dubrovnik today.
The Earthquake of 1667
On April 6, 1667, a devastating earthquake destroyed large parts of the city. Over 5,000 people died — half the population. The subsequent fire destroyed what the quake had spared. Only the Sponza Palace and the city walls survived the catastrophe. The reconstruction in Baroque style — uniform, elegant, harmonious — still characterizes the cityscape today.
