Sponza Palace

Dubrovnik, Croatia

The rectangular Sponza Palace with an inner courtyard was built in a mixed Gothic and Renaissance style between 1516 and 1522 by Paskoje Miličević Mihov. Its name is derived from the Latin word 'spongia', the spot where rainwater was collected.

The loggia and sculptures were crafted by the brothers Andrijić and other stonecutters.

The palace has served a variety of public functions, including as a customs office and bonded warehouse, mint, armoury, treasury, bank and school. It became the cultural center of the Republic of Ragusa with the establishment of the Academia dei Concordi, a literary academy, in the 16th century. It survived the 1667 earthquake without damage. The palace's atrium served as a trading center and business meeting place.

The palace is now home to the city archives, which hold documents dating back to the 12th century, with the earliest manuscript being from 1022. These files, including more than 7000 volumes of manuscripts and about 100,000 individual manuscripts, were previously kept in the Rector's palace.

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Address

Stradun 2, Dubrovnik, Croatia
See all sites in Dubrovnik

Details

Founded: 1516-1522
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Croatia

More Information

en.wikipedia.org
www.dubrovnikcity.com

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Dubrovnik Synagogue (0,1 km)
Old City of Dubrovnik (0,1 km)
St. Blaise's Church (0,1 km)
Rector's Palace (0,1 km)
Dubrovnik Cathedral (0,1 km)
Franciscan Monastery (0,3 km)
Dominican Monastery (0,1 km)
Fort Bokar (0,4 km)
Minčeta Tower (0,3 km)


Herceg Novi Old Town (40,8 km)
Racic Family Mausoleum (10,5 km)
Walls of Ston (40,5 km)
Arapovo Castle (10 km)
Savina Monastery (42 km)
Sokol Castle (26,8 km)

User Reviews

Sadia Ricky (16 months ago)
Great place to visit. The place has become very popular after the TV series Game of thrones has been aired. It is at the center of old Dubrovnik town near the bell tower on the Stradum. The entry is 8am to 7pm at summer but in winter it closes at 5pm. The entry to inner court is free of charge. To enter at treasury, the price is 2 euro or 15 Luna local currency.
Camila Moyano (17 months ago)
Nice building, if you buy the Dubrovnik for a day card you have it for free. If you don't is not worth it.
Tork Mackenzie (17 months ago)
Easily found at one end of the Stradun this was the centre for the local government during the height of the Dubrovnik republic , now it has a small museum that is worth a look round
Richard Smyth (17 months ago)
Beautiful building, well worth a look around.
Cho (18 months ago)
Sponza Palace is very nice historical landmark. Used to be a place where people cam to trade.
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