Arches of Gothic Renaissance Rector's Palace.

Rector’s Palace

Top choice in Dubrovnik


Built in the late 15th century for the elected rector who governed Dubrovnik, this Gothic-Renaissance palace contains the rector’s office and private chambers, public halls, administrative offices and a dungeon. During his one-month term the rector was unable to leave the building without the permission of the senate. Today the palace has been turned into the Cultural History Museum, with artfully restored rooms, portraits, coats of arms and coins, evoking the glorious history of Ragusa.

The building retains a striking compositional unity despite being rebuilt many times. Notice the finely carved capitals on the exterior columns and the ornate staircase in the atrium, which is often used for concerts during the Summer Festival. Also in the atrium is a statue of Miho Pracat, who bequeathed his wealth to the Republic and was the only commoner in the 1000 years of the Republic’s existence to be honoured with a statue (1638). We may assume that the bequest was considerable.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Dubrovnik attractions

1. Marin Držić statue

0.02 MILES

Walking from Stradun to the Cathedral, you’re bound to pass by the bronze statue of the writer Marin Držić. Lovingly called Dubrovnik's Shakespeare, he is…

2. Dulčić Masle Pulitika Gallery

0.02 MILES

This small offshoot of the city's main gallery unites three friends beyond the grave: local artists Ivo Dulčić, Antun Masle and Ɖuro Pulitika, who all…

3. Cathedral of the Assumption

0.03 MILES

Built on the site of a 7th-century basilica, Dubrovnik's original cathedral was enlarged in the 12th century, supposedly funded by a gift from England’s…

4. Gundulićeva poljana

0.03 MILES

The narrow street opposite the Rector’s Palace opens onto this square, where a bustling morning produce and craft market is held. The monument at its…

5. St Blaise’s Church

0.04 MILES

Dedicated to the city's patron saint, this exceptionally beautiful church was built in 1715 in the ornate baroque style. The interior is notable for its…

6. City Bell Tower

0.04 MILES

Marking the eastern end of the old town’s main drag, this slender dome-capped tower has a large curvy clock face known as ‘the octopus’ and a two-tonne…

7. Orlando Column

0.05 MILES

Luža Sq once served as a marketplace, and this stone column – carved in 1417 and featuring the image of a medieval knight – used to be the spot where…

8. Sponza Palace

0.06 MILES

One of the few buildings in the old town to survive the 1667 earthquake, the Sponza Palace was built from 1516 to 1522 as a customs house, and it has…