A museum and former building where major decisions were made, the Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik is a must-visit for architecture and art enthusiasts. It showcases objects from past centuries linked to the history of the city and the region.
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Overview of the Palace
Located in Dubrovnik’s Old Town, within walking distance and equidistant between the city’s cathedral and St. Blaise Church, the Rector’s Palace (Knežev dvor in Croatian) was originally built in the 13th century and underwent significant alterations until the 17th century. The influence of various styles and periods is clearly visible: Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic. In addition to housing the city’s rulers, the palace also contained dungeons, a powder room, an audience hall, and an armory.
The building consists of three levels:
- On the ground floor, you’ll find the reception rooms. The audience hall, with its beautifully carved ceiling, is a highlight, as is the council chamber.
- On the first floor, there’s the rector’s office, a chapel, and a private chamber.
- On the second floor, there’s a balcony offering a lovely view of the city’s rooftops.
The Rector’s Palace through the Centuries
In the Middle Ages, only a defensive fort stood on the current site of the palace. The transformation into a palace began in the 14th century. In 1435, the building was first damaged by a powder explosion. Neapolitan architect Onofrio della Cava was tasked with the reconstruction, which lasted over 30 years, alongside his work on the city’s aqueduct. Notable from this early reconstruction are the facade and beautiful sculptures, especially the portico’s capital depicting Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine.
In 1463, another powder explosion damaged the building, and Salvi di Michele from Florence supervised the restoration. The windows on the facade date from this period.
Two centuries later, the 1667 earthquake deeply damaged the palace, starting a 30-year restoration. After much debate on the building’s style, Sicilian architect Tommaso Napoli, whose name might suggest Neapolitan origins, infused the Baroque style into the building, as seen in the addition of steps and a bell in the atrium.
The palace remained undamaged until the abolition of the Republic of Dubrovnik in the early 19th century. Finally, after World War II, the building ceased its administrative functions and became a museum.
It was within these walls that the city’s political and administrative acts were executed. The rectors of the Republic of Ragusa (the former name of Dubrovnik) held office for nearly 500 years.
They were elected by other nobles and served for one month to avoid the accumulation of power. Living mainly in the building during their term and responsible for following protocol in addition to their daily duties, rectors were expected to devote themselves to their civic mission and were separated from their families. The inscription still visible in the Grand Council Chamber reads: Obliti privatorum publica curate (translated from Latin: “Forget private matters and take care of the public”).
Rectors: Leaders for Only a Month
However, some rectors were elected more than once. Overall, this time-limited power structure and the system of rectorship were heavily inspired by nearby Venice, from which Dubrovnik had successfully separated.
The Museum and Palace Today
The Dubrovnik History Museum occupies the Rector’s Palace. It houses furniture and decorative objects from the final period of the Republic of Dubrovnik, dating back to the 19th century. These pieces come from various locations in Dubrovnik. A permanent exhibition of paintings from the 15th century to the mid-19th century, featuring Croatian and Italian artists, is also on display for visitors, along with a collection of coins, weapons, and a historic pharmacy. The walls themselves are worth a visit, and if you can get your hands on an old 50-kuna note, you’ll find the Rector’s Palace featured on the reverse!
- Both the atrium and the palace’s facade gained extra fame in recent years due to their appearance in the Game of Thrones series.
- The atrium, known for its excellent acoustics, is now used for artistic performances.
- Inside the atrium, you’ll find a statue of Miho Prakat, a generous local citizen honored by the authorities in the 17th century.
- A fun detail for children: take a look at the atrium railing—it’s fixed to the wall by sculpted hands.
The visit to the Rector’s Palace Museum is not free (it is part of the Dubrovnik Pass bundle). Ideally, you should visit with a guide to fully appreciate the site and the collections on display. Otherwise, expect to spend around 30 minutes if you rush through. The price may seem disproportionate in that case.