The history of Dubrovnik
Greek and Roman refugees originally settled Dubrovnik in the 7th century. An independent, merchant republic for 700 years (abolished by Napoleon in 1806), it traded with Turkey and India in the East and had trade representatives in Africa (Cape Verde Islands). It even had diplomatic relations with the English Court in the Middle Ages. It was a city of seafaring citizens, diplomats and merchants, at the crossroads of several medieval empires. Benefiting from this strategic position on the Adriatic Sea and canny leadership, it evolved into a city-state called Ragusa, a maritime and diplomatic power. Ragusas independent existence lasted for centuries throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance. On the Lovrjenac Fortress, built on a bluff just outside the city walls, is inscribed a Latin phrase translating as: Freedom cannot be sold for gold. Significant dates in Dubrovniks history are engraved in local memory just as indelibly: In 1667 a major earthquake and fire destroyed most of the city and killed 5,000 residents. More recently in 1979, a major earthquake shook the area and it took years for the city to recover. And then came the siege by the Yugoslav army and Montenegrin militia in 1991-92. Although it suffered brutal assaults and was heavily damaged, Dubrovnik was restored again by the sheer determination of its people.
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