Unveiling Cavtat's Architectural Marvels

Cavtat is the Adriatic city of antiquity Epidaurum; Civitas Vetus – the predecessor to Dubrovnik. The medieval town was built according to a city plan on the southern slopes of a peninsula with two deep and accessible inlets. Over the centuries it was constructed according to the rules of Dubrovnik and in all the periods of history, the town had creators whose works are of true value. The cultural and historical story of unique and natural beauty is told in continuity.

The mausoleum of the well known Cavtat shipping family, Račić, at the graveyard of St. Rok in Cavtat, was erected in 1921 at the location of the Chapel of St. Rok from the 15th century, as the last wish of Marija Račić. It was constructed of white stone from the island of Brač, in the shape of a dome. The entire structure was built without a single piece of wood, or any other material except bronze, of which the door and bell were made. The entire mausoleum, from the entrance with its two caryatids, to the arch covered with the heads of angels, the floor which tells the tale of biblical history symbolizing the four evangelists, the main alter and side naves, is full of symbols symbolizing the three basic stages of human fate: birth, life and death. The bell cast according to Meštrović’s plans is inscribed with his beautiful words, “Learn the mystery of love, and you will resolve the mystery of death and believe that life is eternal.”

The birth house of Vlaho Bukovac in Cavtat was declared a cultural monument in 1969. The monumental characteristics of this great house are not only its architecture, gardens and location in the urban core of Cavtat, but primarily the heritage of the name of the great painter Vlaho Bukovac, his artistic legacy and the heritage of the Bukovac family. By its location and spatial organization, the typical stone birth house of Vlaho Bukovac among the structures of Cavtat is from the end of the 18th century and the 19th century. The interior has for the most part retained its original characteristics from the early 19th century, though a portion of the interior and furniture comes from the time that Bukovac adapted the home in the early 20th century. Of particular note are the internal wall paintings and the glass doors to the staircase, created by Bukovac himself.

An interesting monument of Renaissance architecture from the time of the Dubrovnik Republic. Today, the Rector’s Palace is home to the library and archives of Cavtat born Baltazar Bogosic, doctor of philosophy and law, who was a member of many European academies. The Baltazar Bogosic collection was established in 1909-1912, and has been part of the Croatian Academy of Science and the Arts since 1955. The Palace is also home to the Cavtat Museum, where Bogisic’s ethnography and coin collections are on display, as is his collection of weapons. Before the Rector’s Palace is a collection of archaeological artefacts from the Greek and Roman periods.

The Cavtat parish church from the 15th century is situated next to the Rector’s Palace. The church interior is Baroque and is filled with the work of well known painters. The parish church is also home to a painting vault, founded in 1952, thanks to Academic Cvita Fisković and many others. Among the numerous valuable works of art are icons bearing images of St. Nicholas from the 15th century, the alabaster relief from the 15th century, St. Sebastian by the Baroque master of the Bologna school Benedetto Genarri, works by Sicilian painter Carmelo Reggi and works by the great Croatian painter Vlaho Bukovac.

This single nave church is from the 15th century, to which the Franciscan monastery with its late Gothic cloisters was added. On display in the monastery dining room are valuable paintings by the Pelješac painter, Franciscan monk Celestin Medović, while Bukovac’s painting Our Lady of Cavtat, 10 metres long and 3 metres high, depicting Cavtat harbour, dominates in the church.

The Sokol Fortress or Sokol Grad (Falcon City) is the largest and most important fortress from the times of the Dubrovnik Republic due to its position in the mountainous region near the Bosnian inland. It was built at the location of earlier Illyrian and Roman fortifications, evident from the remains of ceramics and Roman bricks in its walls. Its form was adapted to the natural rock cliffs upon which it was built, and the colour of the stone blends in with its surroundings. Under Soko Grad is the memorial and graveyard Church of Our Lady of Sokol. Sokol Grad offers a magnificent view of the whole of Konavle. In 1391, the Sanković brothers the rulers of Konavle, gave the Dubrovnik Republic full authority over the Sokol Fortress, while the fortress came under final possession of the Republic in 1423. Considering the strategic importance of this fortress, the Dubrovnik Republic constantly invested in it, as the fortress had a cistern, munitions building, wine and food cellars, sentry-boxes, buildings for soldiers and buildings to accommodate women and children from nearby villages in the event of war. Climb up to the top of this fortress, and experience the awe and amazement of the exceptionally well planned defence system of the historical Dubrovnik Republic.

After the second world war Lastovo, like neighbouring island Vis ,became military island. Because of that it was forbidden stay of foreigners. That was a reason why the island was depopulated and couldn’t develop in economic sense but at the same time the nature stayed untouched. After 1988. foreigners were welcomed and that was a start of tourism development.

After Croatia proclaimed independence in 1991, the army stayed on Lastovo until 30. may 1992.