Location: Stradun street
Location: Stradun street
Sponza Palace or
Spontsa Palazzo is one the most prominent architectural monuments of
Dubrovnik. Sponza Palace forms part of city facade around Lodge
Square. The Palace was built in 1516- 21 under supervision of
architect Pascoe Milicevic. The design of the building is Gothic
architectural style with elements of the early Renaissance.
Earthquake that hit Dubrovnik in 1667 seriously damaged the
structure of the palace. Reconstruction lasted for 30 years.
Sponza Palace served as a residence of the prince of the Dubrovnik
Republic. Additionally it served as a bank, coin mint, treasury,
customs and the "Academy of Learned" or "Learned Academy". It was an
elite club of highly educated people and poets who gathered here for
scientific and literary discussions. However in 1808 republic was
overthrown by French troops under command of Marshal Auguste
Marmont.
Today Sponza palace houses Dubrovnik State Archives
that contain some of the oldest documents in Croatia. Additionally
part of this magnificent building was dedicated as a Memorial Museum
in honor of fallen Croatian defenders of Dubrovnik during
Yugoslavian Civil War in 1990's. The Square before Sponza Palace
holds opening ceremonies fo the Dubrovnik Summer Festival.