Rector's Palace, Dubrovnik

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This is the Rector's Palace, a unique site which is very interesting from the history and architecture point of view, it is located just on the Stradum and it was re constructed many times as it was damage by earthquake, fires, wars and other occasions through its history.

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Perhaps the most noble building in Dubrovnik's old town is suitably the former seat of the head of the Republic. The Rector didn't rule over Ragusa, but was the appointed figurehead. He was intered within the building for just a single month after his election.

Entering the building through the elegantly colonnaded facade, you will find yourself in the palace museum. Here you can wander the offices and quarters of the Rector, and imagine the sumptiousness of life as a Ragusa noble.

The Palace of the Dubrovnik's Republic rector it's an interesting palace from the 17th century (reconstruction) mixing gothic and Renaissance styles.

The best (long) descryption of it may be found in Dubrovnikcity

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The Rector's Palace is a harmonious Gothic and Renaissance palace with certain Baroque additions. The palace owes its present shape to many additions and reconstructions throughout its turbulent history. From time to time it happened that the palace was destroyed or heavily damaged by either fires, gunpowder explosions or earthquakes which required a total or partial reconstruction or repair of the building.

Today the Rector's palace is the home to the history department to museum of Dubrovnik. The majority of the halls have styled furniture so as to recreate the original atmosphere of these rooms. In addition to style furniture numerous portraits and coats of arms of the noble families, paintings of old masters, coins minted by the Republic, the original keys of the city gates, and the number of important state documents are on permanent exhibit in the palace.

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The museum is very nice and has a great variety on display. I guess it is the ethnographic museum and cost is 30 kuna-$6. It would take about two hours to give the museum full justice, but you could study much more. It could get crowded when tours are coming at the same time. Key areas inside the building are the prison and many pictures of the town after the Bosnia war period 1990's, coins and medias, an elaborate courtroom from the 18th century, chapel, music room and especially interesting is the Rector study. That has a 17th century cabinet that is extremely ornate and hidden compartments for documents, in addition to having painted scenes on glass and ebony

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It apparently began as a defense building to house armaments and military around 1272, and shortly after it was converted into a palace, so by 1349, it was the main palace of the town for the Rector. A fire destroyed the whole building in 1435 and two end towers were raised then. The contractor was Onofrio Giordino who also constructed the fountain. again in 1463, an explosion from gunpowder damaged the building, and the arches were reconfigured then. Next came the earthquake that afterword made other minor changes to the structure, and designing as Baroque besides Gothic look. The courtyard is wonderful and the staircases lead to second floor in two areas. It is all a museum inside-See next page.

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This was the seat of power in the old city-state of Dubrovnik. For centuries, the Rector governed the city, and was expected to be here at all times, except for official business, during his time in office. The city council elected Rectors to serve a one-month term of office, so there was regular turnover.

Neopolitan architect Onofrio di Giordano de la Cava designed this palace in the 15th century; since then, it's been modified a few times. The largest changes occurred after the 1667 earthquake, making the style more Baroque. All in all, it's an elegant building, but fairly modest considering Dubrovnik's huge wealth.

Today, it's an art, crafts, and history museum, with works by Italian and Croatian masters. This should be on every visitor's itinerary.

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The Rector's Palace, which was the seat of government and the residence of the rector when Dubrovnik was a republic now contains the Cultural Historical Museum.