History of DubrovnikOverview
The name of Dubrovnik is derived from the Croatian word Dubrava, which means oak woods as, in former times, the area was surrounded by oak trees. The Latin name Ragusa - (lat. Lausa- meaning rock), in use until the 15th century, originated from the rock upon where the first settlement was established.
The Latin/Slavic Ragusa/Dubrovnik achieved a remarkable level of development of the Croatian language and literature, and was home to many notable poets, playwrights, painters, mathematicians, physicists and other scholars.
This small state, which had no army of its own, brought its defensive mechanism to perfection using skillful diplomacy and broad consular activities. It managed to preserve its independence by maintaining neutrality in international conflicts, and by using the tutelage of powerful countries.
The Venetian Republic was it only permanent rival and enemy.
The Dubrovnik Republic entered its gold age in the 16th century. Its prosperity was based on maritime trade with a fleet 180-200 ships, called Argosy, which voyaged throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea, as well England, Germany, India and the Americas.
The Republican Constitution was strictly aristocratic, liberal in character, showed regard for justice and humanitarian principles and was very inventive regarding laws and institutions:
6th Century: Archeological findings reveal that a settlement dating to 6th century or earlier existed beneath the existing city and was founded by refugees from Epidaurum (Catvat). Walls were soon constructed to protect them from barbarian invasions.
1200's: Increase in the traffic between east and west during and after the crusades results in the development of maritime and mercantile centers throughout the Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea. Dubrovnik is one of them.
1205 - 1358: Falls under the control of Venice.
1300's: Rivals Venice and Ancona as a major mercantile and maritime center of the Adriatic.
1358: The Zadar Treaty liberates Dubrovnik from Venetian Rule and becomes part of the Hungarian-Croatian Kingdom. This allows the republic to successfully further its development and trade with Europe and the Near East.
1500's: Legal status of Dubrovnik Republic finalized. Has independent election of rector and councilors, mints its own currency, creates a state flag with the image of St. Blaise, forms an independent legislature and establishes consulates abroad.
1667: The Old Town (Stari Grad) is devastated by a major earthquake which destroys most of the Renaissance architecture and art. Only the Rector's Palace and Sponza Palace remain and the republic falls into decline.
1806: Napoleon enters the city and announces annexation.
1808: Marshal Marmont abolishes the Dubrovnik Republic and amalgamates its territory into the Illyrian provinces.
1815: Congress of Vienna cedes Dubrovnik to Austria.
Late 1800's: Dubrovnik develops its tourist industry attracting luminaries such as George Bernard Shaw, Lord Byron and Agatha Christie.
1918: Becomes part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes.
1929: The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes becomes the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and is divided into 8 districts.
1941-1943: Dubrovnik is occupied by the Italian army followed by the Germans.
1944: Partisans liberate Dubrovnik from the Germans.
1945: Becomes part of the Federative People's Republic of Yugoslavia. 1991-1992: Croatia breaks away from Yugoslavia and announces its independence. Serbian and Montenegrin gunners bombard Dubrovnik in response.
Following the end of the war, Croatian authorities and UNESCO rebuild the city in the ancient style to retain its sense of history and beauty.
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