Although the coast of the fabulous Adriatic boasts an impressive number of outstanding attractions, most tourists hurry to visit one of the oldest settlements in Croatia, the picturesque city of Dubrovnik, or rather its main attraction, the legendary Old Town.

Just like many centuries ago, tourists enter the Old Town through the main city gate called the Pile Gate. The keys to this city gate are kept in the museum of the Rector's Palace. The entire territory is surrounded by massive stone walls, which not only protected the city but also marked its borders in the Middle Ages. Previously, there was a deep moat along the fortress walls, but today it has been replaced by a charming garden, where you can hide from the rays of the scorching sun. The gate is topped by a statue of the patron saint of Dubrovnik, St. Blaise, by the brilliant Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic (Meštrovic). Another attraction that has been replaced is the wooden drawbridge leading to the Pile Gate, now there is a stone arch bridge.

From the gate, tourists go to Dubrovnik's main street called Stradun. It crosses almost the entire Old Town from west to east, from the central Pile Gate to the equally important Ploce Gate (Ploče). Besides, Onofrio's fountains, Small and Big, are installed at both ends of the street, as well as ancient bell towers. The ringing of local bells can be heard along the entire length of the street. By the way, the water in the fountains is clean and drinkable, helping both locals and tired travelers to quench their thirst.

Unfortunately, the earthquake of 1667 and the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s destroyed most of the buildings. But the preserved structures make a strong impression on all visitors of Dubrovnik's Old Town.

The only street in the city covered with pure marble leads to the central Square of the Loggia with the luxurious Sponza Palace, the charming Church of St. Blaise, the old City Hall of the 19th century, and the column of the brave knight Orlando, the patron saint of merchants in the Middle Ages. Each of them has its history and deserves special attention, but this is a whole different story.