Valamar Blog

Today, the Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik is the site of the Cultural - History Museum. However, as one of the most important public buildings in Dubrovnik, it used to be the administrative centre for the Republic of Dubrovnik and the Rector. The Rector had living quarters and an office in the Palace, and it was where he resided during his month long mandate. He was only allowed to leave under exceptional circumstances (state and protocol matters).

In the 13th century, the Fortress “Castellum” was mentioned, which had four angular towers, and was on the site where the Rector’s Palace later developed. Influenced by Roman and Venetian traditions, the fortress slowly transformed into a Palace, but in 1435 due to a gunpowder explosion in the arsenal, the Rector’s Palace was destroyed. The structure that the Rector’s Palace takes today is from after it has been renovated. This was a project designed by Onofrio de la Cava, who was an engineer from Naples. At that time, the Rector’s Palace was renovated using a late-Gothic style, which was also the time when the water mains and two fountains were built.

After this, the building experienced significant damage on two further occasions. This was the result of another gunpowder explosion (1463), and it was also damaged by a large earthquake that shook Dubrovnik in 1667. The work to the building after these events was carried out in a renaissance style, and later in a baroque style.

It continued with its function as the Rector’s Palace until 1808, which was the time when the Republic of Dubrovnik ended. Asides from hosting the Cultural-History Museum, the main hall in the Rector’s Palace provides a wonderful venue for concerts and other cultural-artistic events (the Dubrovnik Summer Games and the Julian Rachlin Festival, concerts by the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra).