Franciscan Friary, Dubrovnik
South door (1499) of the Franciscan Monastery. Photo
DDanzig.
Detail of Pieta over the south door. Photo
Br Lawrence Lew, OP.
Peaceful cloister of the Franciscan monastery. Photo
Glenn Parker.
Carved capitals of the cloister. Photo
Debbie and Gary.
The monastery bell tower. Photo
DDanzig.
The Franciscan Friary (Franjevacki Samostan) in Dubrovnik was founded in 1317 and rebuilt after the 1667 earthquake. It contains some fine examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
History
Construction on a Franciscan friary in Dubrovnik began in 1317 and was completed in the 1400s.
It was badly damaged in the 1667 earthquake and almost entirely rebuilt, but the cloister and other elements still survive from the original building.
The library, cloisters, and bell tower were damaged in the attacks on Dubrovnik during the 1991 war.
What to See
The Franciscan friary is accessed via a narrow passage from St. Savior's Church. Among the earliest surviving features is the south door, designed in 1499 in a Venetian Gothic style and featuring a beautifully carved Pieta in the lunette.
The friary also includes the single-nave St. Francis Church, a 15th-century marble pulpit, and a bell tower. The fine 15th-century cloisters entirely escaped the earthquake and are the most interesting part of the monastery.
The cloisters are late Romanesque with some Gothic elements, and feature double columns topped with human, animal, and plant carvings and a tranquil open garden with a 15th-century fountain in the center. The upper level of the cloisters was built after the 1667 earthquake and is open only to Franciscans.
Accessed via one side of the cloisters is the Pharmacy (Stara Ljekarna), which has been in use since 1317 and claims to be the oldest working pharmacy in Europe. Ancient laboratory instruments, mortars, measuring tools and beautifully decorated jars are displayed on old shelves.
A Franciscan Museum (Muzej Franjevackog Samostana) is housed in another room within the monastery, displaying a collection of religious art and artifacts belonging to the Franciscan order. There is also a valuable library.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Franciscan Monastery; Franjevacki Samostan |
| Type of site: | Christian monastery |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic (Franciscan order) |
| Status: | Active |
| Dates: | Founded 1317; mostly dates from 1400s |
| Architecture: | Late Romanesque and Venetian Gothic |
| Location: | Placa 2, Dubrovnik, Croatia |
| Phone: | 385/26-345 |
| Hours: | Summer 9am-6pm. Erratic hours rest of the year. |
| Cost: | Monastery museum: 10kn ($1.75) |
Travel Resources
- Dubrovnik Map - our interactive map plus links to more online maps
- Dubrovnik Hostels - search and book budget lodgings
- Dubrovnik Hotel Reviews - unbiased opinions from fellow travelers
- Dubrovnik Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice from experienced travelers and locals
Sources
- Frommer's Croatia, 1st ed. (Frommer's, 2006).
- Eyewitness Travel Guide to Croatia (London: Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2005).
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Franciscan Monastery in Dubrovnik. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Dubrovnik Map or get our free Google Earth download.
