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The Rector's Palace in Dubrovnik

The Rector's Palace was the seat of government and of the Rector. It housed the state administration, a courtroom, a gaol and an armoury and powder magazine. In the atrium of the Rector's Palace stands the bust of Miho Pracat, a Dubrovnik ship-owner.

Today the Rector's Palace houses the Cultural Historical Museum with thousands of objects from the late 16th to the 19th centuries.

The Rector's Palace DubrovnikThe Rector's Palace is among the most beautiful palaces in Dubrovnik

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It has been systematised into fifteen collections featuring painting, printmaking, furniture, textiles, ceramics, metals, icons, glass, photographs and photgraphic materials, miscellanea, documents, postcards, the writer Ivo Vojnovic, old weaponry and numismatics. 

When you walk through the front entrance, look up to see the well-preserved inscription above the door ("obliti privatorum publica curate" - meaning - forget your private business, concern yourselves with public affairs).

The Rector's Palace was built to a design of Neapolitan architect Onofrio Giordano della Cava, as a three storey building with four wings, with corner towers, an inner court and a portico on the front elevation.

Today, the Rector's Palace is a two-storey building, with portico and atrium, in which the Gothic-Renaissance form is skilfully blended with the Baroque interventions.

The palace’s atrium has superb acoustics. If you visit Dubrovnik in the summer months, book a seat at one of the concerts held here. Find details of performances on the official websites of the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival and the Dubrovnik Tourist Board.

You could spend a days in Dubrovnik and find something new to do each day. Here is a list of the most popular activities in the city and surroundings.

Buy Dubrovnik Pass and visit the Rector's Palace for free (it includes also a free visit to other museums as well as City walls).


Plan Your Perfect Dubrovnik Trip

🏰 Top Experiences in Dubrovnik

βœ” Walk the ancient city walls for stunning Adriatic views
βœ” Explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town and Stradun street
βœ” Take the cable car up Mount SrΔ‘ for sunset views
βœ” Visit Fort Lovrijenac for Game of Thrones filming locations
βœ” Swim or relax on Lokrum Island
βœ” Enjoy boat trips along the Dalmatian coast

πŸ‘‰ Explore Budget Tours in Dubrovnik

🏨 Best Areas to Stay in Dubrovnik

βœ” Old Town – best for history and atmosphere (but expensive)
βœ” Ploče – great views and close to Old Town
βœ” Lapad – beaches, restaurants, and better value
βœ” Babin Kuk – quieter resort-style area with good transport
βœ” GruΕΎ – best for ferry access, local vibe, and good transport connections

πŸ‘‰ Find Affordable Stays in Dubrovnik

πŸš† Getting Around Dubrovnik

βœ” Old Town is fully pedestrian-only
βœ” Local buses connect beaches and outer districts
βœ” Boats run to nearby islands like Lokrum
βœ” Walking is the best way to explore central areas
βœ” Airport buses connect to the city center

πŸ‘‰ Explore Car Hire in Croatia

πŸŒ„ Easy Day Trips from Dubrovnik

βœ” Cavtat – quiet coastal town near the airport
βœ” Lokrum Island – short boat ride, perfect for swimming
βœ” Mljet National Park – forests, lakes, and nature escapes
βœ” Ston – famous for walls and oysters
βœ” PeljeΕ‘ac Peninsula – wine region and beaches
βœ” Mostar (Bosnia & Herzegovina) – historic bridge and old town
βœ” Elaphite Islands – island hopping by private boat, speedboat tours, or organised tourist boat excursions (Ε ipan, Lopud, Koločep)

πŸ‘‰ Reserve Day Trips from Dubrovnik

🌿 Quick Travel Tips

βœ” Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds
βœ” Book city walls tickets in advance during peak season
βœ” Bring water and sun protection in summer
βœ” Expect higher prices inside the Old Town
βœ” Wear comfortable shoesβ€”lots of stairs and stone streets

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