Sightseeing
Sightseeing Overview
All of the main attractions are conveniently located in the pedestrianised old city, which in itself is the standout attraction, a perfectly preserved baroque city-state. The best way to get acquainted with the city is to head on to the solid medieval walls, which protected the Ragusan Republic over the centuries and now provide a bird’s eye view of its buildings for tourists. The main thoroughfare is the Stradun where the Franciscan Monastery is located as well as the graceful Sponza Palace, one of the few buildings to survive the devastating earthquake of 1667. Just around the corner are the Cathedral and the Rector’s Palace, once home of the nominal head of the republic, now a museum and cultural venue.
Tourist Information
The main tourist information centre on Ante Starciceva 7 (tel: (020) 427 591) is up the hill just to the north of the Pile Gate and an easy stroll from the old city. The often surly staff sometimes give out maps and some leaflets and can also book tickets for various cultural events. Handily there is a small Internet café housed within the office. Other smaller branches of the local tourist office can be found on Miha Pracata and next to the Jadrolinja ticket office at the ferry terminal in the suburb of Gru~ (close to the main bus station). A new arrival in 2005 was a small tourist office on the Stradun near the Franciscan Monastery. The private tourist agencies are generally more interested in booking people on one of their myriad guided tours than they are in dispensing advice or maps.
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