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HISTORICAL DUBROVNIK |
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Dubrovnik is a tiny city but nonetheless uniquely impressive and historical, neatly enveloped in the blanket of thick stone fortress walls. Her cobbled streets worn marble-smooth by time, the riviera's near-by vineyards, olive groves, almond trees and bitter orange tree orchards all combine to create a serene and atmospheric harmony between humans and nature.
The Republic of Ragusa, as Dubrovnik was called in the 14th century, was a major port in the Mediterranean, often competing with Venice. Built in the 7th century by former settlers of nearby Cavtat fleeing Saracen onslaughts, Dubrovnik flourished in the Renaissance period. During this time, many mathematicians, poets, physicists, philosophers and noble families came from Dubrovnik. The Republic of Ragusa was one of the first cities in Europe to establish sewers, an orphanage and a pharmacy, which remains to this day one of the oldest and currently operating.
Argosy, an English variation on the word Ragusa, was the general term used for merchant ships originating from Dubrovnik that were so often treasure-laden. In addition, proving that Dubrovnik was on the cutting edge of art and culture in its peak, it was one of the first countries to abolish slavery in 1418, approximately four hundred years before England or the United States. Even on a Ragusan ship, a slave was considered a free person. The impact of Dubrovnik's ideals travelled much farther than its fortified stone walls. When the United States declared independence in 1776, the Dubrovnik Republic was one of the first countries to acknowledge it as a new and sovereign nation.
More recently, Dubrovnik was listed under the United Nations Heritage Endangered Cities Act during the Serb and Montenegran aggression in 1991, following Croatia's declaration of independence. This small treausure-city sustained more than 2000 mortar shells while her people found shelter in the centuries old fortresses and walls, cut-off from the basic human nessessities of food and water.
Since the end of the war in 1995, international efforts have restored the proud heritage of Dubrovnik and reconstructed cultural assets, hotels and the tourism infrastructure. Today, Dubrovnik has returned to its former glory and is fast becoming the new European vacation hot-spot.
Following the rich heritage of its location, the Dubrovnik International Film Festival strives to showcase the very best in the world of film arts and cultural treasures, just like the Argosy fleet that famously sailed the Old World.
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