Rector's Palace

Lonely Planet review

This elegant 15th-century building was erected on the site of an old fort in order to house the rector, Dubrovnik's ruler. Though predominantly Gothic, it also contains Renaissance elements, particularly in the lavishly sculptured capitals on the exterior porch.

Despite the mixture of styles, it retains a striking compositional unity. The interior atrium features a splendid baroque staircase and a statue of Miho Pracat, who bequeathed one tonne of gold to the Republic and was the only commoner in the 1000 years of its existence to be honoured with a statue (1638). The rest of the palace contains the rector's office and private chambers, as well as public halls and administrative offices. Interestingly, the elected rector was not permitted to leave the building during his one-month term without the permission of the senate. The palace is now a museum, with artfully restored rooms, portraits, coats of arms and coins, all of which evoke the glorious history of Dubrovnik.