The Rector’s Palace

A true symbol of the power of the former Republic of Ragusa, the Rector’s Palace is like a journey back in time. Built in the 13th century as the seat of government, it was also the official residence of the Rector, the head of the executive branch. Elected for just one month, the Rector lived here under near total seclusion: he could leave only on rare occasions, strictly for official duties, and wasn’t even allowed to receive visits from his family. Above the entrance, a Latin inscription still reminds us of this strict rule: Obliti privatorum publica curate — “Forget your private affairs, take care of the public ones.” But the palace was far more than the Rector’s office: it also housed the armoury, arsenal, courtroom, and even a prison. Its history was anything but quiet. The first Gothic building was destroyed in 1435 by a gunpowder explosion, then rebuilt by architect Onofrio Della Cava. Another explosion in 1463 and the great earthquake of 1667 brought further reconstructions, resulting in the harmonious blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles you see today. Since 1872, the palace has been home to the Dubrovnik History Museum, where you can explore grand state rooms, portraits, historic weapons, and precious relics of the Republic.