Villa Ana

LEGEND ON THE GENESIS OF THE NAME OF CAVTAT

by novsco61

Alongside with a possible derivatio from "Civitus Vetus", the name of Cavtat is associated also with the gorgeous Cavtislava, daughter of the Epidaurian king Kordun and Queen Amrusa. As so many flocked to ask for her hand, the king decided to give it in marriage to the one who will be fasted in completing one of the four tasks: construct a eripheral fortification around the town, a big temple in the town, an aqueduct, or bring in a ship loaded with silk. The fastest was a rich local nobelman by the name of Vrsanin, who managed to be the first in bringing water into town.
At the inaugurational ceremeny of the water supply, the beautiful princess was to have the first taste of water, from a golden cup, yet, before first drops of water a big lizzard cameout right into her lap. Princess Cavtislava's heart broke out of shock, and she fell dead at the spot.

Legend has it that the lizzard was placed appositely into the tube by one of the jealous candidates. In the memory of the most gorgeous Cavtislava, after a powrrfull earthquake that erased city, a new settlement - Cavtat - came to life on the same location.

Another legend says that Cavtat derives from the Old-Croatian verb 'captiti' - 'to blossom', refering to the yellow juniper, that so widwspread sparkling plant with a sunny aura. The legend relate its doom to the catastrpohes after which the indestructible Cavtat would come back to life again and anew.
"....down there, there's something adorned
with gold blossoming it the reef....."

Family Bogosic's Mausoleum

by KristaB

Designed by Ivan Mestrovic (1883 - 1962) Croatia's most famous sculptor.

Lady Mare Racic asked Mestrovic "When I die, will you build me a grave and prove that Death is apparent?"
He could not reply at the moment. Soon after that she died.
So Mestrovic had engraved his answer on the bell reading:
"Find out the Secret of Love. Thus you'll find the solution to the Secret of Death and you'll believe that Life is Eternal".

The whole mausoleum was built of white marble from island Brac, no wooden parts at all, only the door and the bell were made of bronze.
Lady Mare Racic managed to get permission from Dubrovnik Bishop to demolish the chapel of St. Rocco (from 15th century) and build a family mausoleum there. All of Racic's foursome family died within short period.
Among all astonishing sculptures each carrying specific symbolism and message, there is one dog, the only creature that, according to legend, had not abbandoned St. Rocco.

St Nicholas Church

by sandysmith

St Nicholas is baroque parish church of Cavtat which has a beautiful interior. Adjacent to it you'll find an exhibit of several rare and valuable pieces such as the painting of St. Nicholas (15th ct.), an alabaster relief (14ct.), "St. Sebastian" by the master Genarri and works by Bukovac.

Cafe Strip on The Esplanade

by Mikebb

There are many cafes along the esplanade, set back about 50 metres from the water it is the ideal place to enjoy the view whilst having lunch or coffee. There are many restaurants to choose from and most have local specials for the day.

Cavtat, the ancient Epidauros/ Epidaurum

by TheaIren

"Epidaurum gave birth to Ragusa ( Dubrovnik )"

I stayd in Cavtat for three nights and can not describe the atmosphere.
You have to stay there yourself. One is for sure you can smell history in that place as it goes back to 7th century.
At first the city was called Epidauros, when it was Greek settlement and then of course Romans took over and called it Epidaurum. After that it is known that Epidaurum falled under Croats raid in 656.

So, these Roman Epidaurum refugees settled along the coast about 25 km from ruins of Epidaurum and their tragedy gave birth to city called Ragusa - now Dubrovnik.

"Old town streets"

I just loved walking in these old streets. Lots of greenery and lovely small houses with hidden courtyards.