The Rector’s Palace

The Rector's Palace

The Dubrovnik audio-guided tour presents you with the Rector's Palace, symbol of the power of the former Republic of Ragusa, today the history museum of the city.

The residence of a rector elected for a month

Built in the thirteenth century to house the seat of the government, the palace was the official residence of the rector, head of the executive. Elected for only a month, he had to live there in seclusion, going out only for official affairs and without being able to receive his family. Above the door, a Latin inscription recalls this rule: "Forget your private affairs, attend to public affairs." The palace also served as an armoury, an audience hall and a prison. Destroyed by a powder explosion in 1435, rebuilt by Onofrio della Cava, struck by a new explosion in 1463 then by the 1667 earthquake, it offers a harmonious mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. Since 1872, it houses the history museum of Dubrovnik.

What there is to see

The Rector's Palace charms with its elegant courtyard and its mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. Become a history museum, it reveals state rooms, portraits, old weapons and precious souvenirs of the Republic of Ragusa. It is a veritable time machine, indispensable to understand the political past of the city.

Practical information

The Rector's Palace is in the old town of Dubrovnik, near the cathedral. It houses the history museum, which can be visited according to hours to be checked on site; access to the collections is generally subject to a charge.

How did the rector of Ragusa live?

Elected for only a month, he lived in seclusion in the palace, going out only for official affairs, without receiving his family.

What does the Rector's Palace house today?

The history museum of Dubrovnik, installed within its walls since 1872.