Dubrovnik Attractions

Venue: Cultural Historical Museum    When: Daily

Dubrovnik's Cultural Historical Museum is located inside the luxurious buildings of the Duke's (also referred to as the Rector's) Palace. The permanent collection comprises a wide range of paintings, ceramics, icons, metalwork, textiles, furniture, glassware and photographs.

The paintings on display include a collection of Old Masters dating from the 15th-19th centuries and portraits of famous Dubrovnik figures from the 16th-19th centuries, while the ceramic collection includes decorative art objects, china and apothecary jars. The Icon Collection includes around 300 valuable works dating from the 17th-19th centuries, in a range of styles.

Amongst the metalwork there are items made from precious base metals such as gold, silver, bronze, iron and brass, ranging from the practical items such as cutlery, keys, lamps and tableware to jewellery and decorative objects. Glasswear dates from the 15th-20th centuries and includes bottles, goblets and vases of Austrian, Czech and Croatian origin. The textiles reflect the different historical fashions and include uniforms, flags, lace, civil women's and men's dress, silk fabrics and fans, dating from the 17th-early 20th centuries.

Furniture includes pieces dating from the later years of the Dubrovnik Republic, with objects of various styles, forms and functions illustrating the tastes of the "upper" classes in the 19th century, who followed European trends.

The Duke's Palace was the seat of government and the residence of the Prince (Rector or Duke) of the centuries-old Dubrovnik Republic, which came to an end in 1808 during the Napoleonic wars. The present building was constructed during the 15th century following a gunpowder explosion that destroyed a 14th-century building on the site. Since then fires, explosions and earthquakes have brought reconstructions in various styles.