Dominican Monastery — Attraction in Dubrovnik

The lady at the front desk (she would not give her name) was extremely rude and impolite. We went the day before (late in the day) she ushered us out (even though there were 45 mins left before closing time and you can do the monastery in 10 minutes). We went back today and she was again rude. As we approached she wore her mask, even though there were already people ahead of us for who she wasn’t wearing a mask. As we walked away (the entrance remained busy with people) she again took her mask off. When I went back to explain to her that her impolite manner was unacceptable in short she started challenging my race, when I advised her I was not in-fact Indian I was British she challenged this, I then pointed out my race is irrelevant, she shouldn’t racially profile me and the colour of my skin shouldn’t dictate the level of service I receive. She then threatened to call the police when I asked to speak to her manager. She said he is unavailable and I need to leave, after several conversations (where she continued to be racially abusive) I explained she should apologise for her behaviour, she rang somebody and then stated we could enter the Monastery for free. I explained to her, that it wasn’t about the cost and we no longer wished to visit, it was the principle, I refuse to allow someone to mistreat me because they think being caucasian gives them superiority over me. An extremely unsettling and upsetting experience to be racially profiled and mistreated because of the colour of my skin at a tourist attraction. I should note, that every other experience in Croatia has been a positive one where the people are really friendly, but unfortunately, this lady should not be in the service industry to have the ability to...

The Dominicans established their monastery in Dubrovnik as early as 1225, however the building of the current church and the monastery are from the 14th century. The St. Dominic Church (surely one of the most beautiful among numerous Dubrovnik churches) was built in Gothic architectural style and the portal on the southern side contains certain Romanesque characteristics, while in 1419 the Italian sculptor Bonino di Milano added to the existing Romanesque frame a pointed Gothic arched ending. The interior of the church was damaged in the earthquake of 1667 and reconstructed with Baroque elements. However the most notable piece is the large golden Crucifix in the central arch above the main altar, a work of Paolo Veneziano, from the 14th century. The monastery complex acquired its final shape in the 15th c. when the beautiful porches of the cloister were built by local builders from the designs of the Florentine architect Massa di Bartolomeo. A special treasure of this monastery is its library with over 220 incunabulas, numerous illuminated manuscripts, and rich archive with precious manuscripts...

A beautiful early 14th century monastery tucked away near Dubrovnik’s east gate. When I visited (early May) there were hardly any visitors, I think in part because of the nominal fee for entry (the excellent DubrovnikPass only grants a slight discount). However, that fee is well worth the price of entry.

This monastery, at least in my opinion, is even more captivating than the also excellent Franciscan monastery that can be found on Stradun. Its cloister is beautiful and well-maintained, and has seating that allows for a moment to take in the view.

In the monastery’s library is a collection of fine works, greatest of all being a painting by Titian depicting Mary Magdalene and St. Blaise.

Also attached to the monastery is a church, which was still undergoing repair as of May 2024 and was not open to the public.

Highly recommended to anyone interested in medieval history, art, or even just a brief respite...