Sponza Pallace. All trade routes of Dubrovnik Republic went through this marvelous palace placed at far end of the Stradun, maybe the most beautiful in whole of Dubrovnik built with the purpose of being a custom's house. The Sponza Pallace construction started in 1516 and has been build in late gothic and renaissance mixture style following the plans of Paskoje Miličević who also build the famous sacristy of the Dominican monastery. The atrium of the palace, formed with an arched gallery spreading all around, encircles once always busy commerce centre and the meeting place of the Old Dubrovnik Republic and beyond. Later on, by the end of the 16th century Sponza became the central cultural centre of the Dubrovnik Republic and in 1667 earthquake luckily left undamaged. The highly educated citizens of Dubrovnik, the members of the prestige club "The Academy of The Learned" met on regular basis in this palace and they led their discussions about Iiterature, arts and all the scientific achievements of their time. Today the Atrium of The Sponza Pallace is an art gallery always exhibiting some interesting works from Dubrovnik present or past. Every year Sponzas terrace is also an opening point from where actors guide the Dubrovnik Summer festival.

Sign on arch of the Spnza’s atrium, on which just be a hanged scale point out the accuracy of the Dubrovnik’s measurement: FALLERE NOSTRA VETANT; ET FALLI PONDERA: MEQVE PONDERO CVM MERCES: PONDERA IPSE DEVS - Our weights don’t let to be cheated or deceived. When I measure goods I’ve been measured by God himself  

<<   >>