Dubrovnik is a city in Croatia on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It is located in the region of Dalmatia.

There is evidence of human settlement in Dubrovnik at least as early as the 6th century. The first settlement that we know of was on what was once a small island, separated by marsh from the mainland.

In the 7th century, refugees from the Roman city of Epidaurus (now Cavtat, Croatia) came to the island and founded a city which they called named Laus, on a there. This city was also known as Rausa or Ragusa.

Slavs founded a city on the mainland, opposite Laus. They called this city Dubrovnik.

In the 12th century, marshland that separated these two cities was filled in and the cities were united.

Sometimes known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik became an important power on the Mediterranean Sea in the 13th century.

The walled Old City of Dubrovnik contains breathtaking examples of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. There are churches, palaces, fortresses and other historic monuments.

Visitors to Dubrovnik can walk along the walls, which were were built in the 16th century.

They usually enter the Old City through Pile Gate,which was built in 1537.

Dubrovnik's famous d'Onofrio Fountain is located near Pile Gate.

Important religious architectural works in the Old City of Dubrovnik include the Cathedral, the Church of St Blaise, the Dominican Monastery and the Franciscan Monastery.

Sponza Palace, an example of magnificent Gothic-Renaissance architecture, was built in the early 16th century. Once a customs house, it now contains archives of historical documents.

An earthquake devastated Dubrovnik in 1667; the city was able to preserve many of its architectural works.

Today, Dubrovnik's Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Much of the Old City was damaged when the city was bombed in 1991; most of the damage has since been repaired.

There are many museums, cafes, bars and restaurants in Dubrovnik.

The Dubrovnik summer festival of music, dance and theater is known throughout the world.

Dubrovnik has many small, beautiful beaches.