37 Best Sights in Southern Dalmatia, Croatia

Dating back to 1418, Orlando's Column, located at the end of the Stradun and serving as a popular meeting point, is dedicated to legendary 8th-century knight Roland, who is said to have saved Dubrovnik from a Saracen attack near Lokrum. The white-stone column has become a symbol of freedom for the city, and the white Libertas flag is traditionally flown from the top during important events, such as the opening ceremony of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival.

One of the most significant buildings along the Croatian coast, this was the administrative center of the Dubrovnik Republic. It's where the Grand Council and Senate held their meetings and the chief citizen, the Rector, lived and did business during his one-month term. It also held a courtroom, prisons, meeting halls, and a gunpowder room, which exploded twice in the 15th century. The explosions, plus the earthquake of 1667, required the building to be reconstructed over the years in varying baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic styles. The palace is now home to the Cultural History Museum, containing exhibits that give a picture of life in Dubrovnik from early days until the fall of the Republic.

This charming museum is worth the visit for both the building itself (built in 1590, it was used as a grain storage during the time of the Republic), as well as the collection of 6,000 heritage pieces from around Croatia and neighboring countries, including tools, folk costumes, lace, and other handiwork. Rupe means "holes," which refers to the underground grain storage pits carved out of tufa below the building.

The original location where all trade goods coming into Dubrovnik went to be taxed, this 16th-century Gothic-Renaissance palace has served as the city's mint, an arsenal, and eventually a place for the Republic's most educated citizens to discuss cultural matters called the Academy of the Learned. It now contains the city's archives, as well as the occasional art exhibit; the shady arcaded interior is a lovely spot to escape the heat and crowds.

Turn left as you enter to find the Memorial Room for the Defenders of Dubrovnik, a heart-wrenching little gallery with photographs of those who died defending the city, along with remnants of the flag that once flew atop Mount Srđ.

Within the grounds of a small Renaissance villa, 14 km (9 miles) up the coast from Dubrovnik, Trsteno Arboretum was originally established during the 16th century by the noble Gučetić family and has been continuously developed over the centuries, acquiring Renaissance and Baroque additions along the way. Today, it is filled with hundreds of exotic species of trees and shrubs, most of which were brought home by local sailors from distant voyages. An original aqueduct is still in use, and a beautiful Baroque fountain of Neptune and two nymphs dates from 1736. Buses run regularly to Trsteno from Dubrovnik (€3; 30 minutes), and it makes a great stopover on the way to the Pelješac Peninsula.

For something a little different, organize a cooking class with Katja at her house within the grounds of the Arboretum. Katja's family has lived there for four generations, and together you will prepare a feast that might include black risotto, peka, or pašticada. The price includes admission to the arboretum, and Katja will also take you on a walking tour of the grounds. The cooking class can be booked through Culinary Croatia ( www.culinary-croatia.com).

Shocking and impressive, this modern gallery run by New Zealand photojournalist Wade Goddard, who drove from London to Croatia in 1992 to document the war and never left, devotes two floors to war photojournalism. The permanent exhibition showcases photos and video from former Yugoslavia, while recent exhibitions have been dedicated to conflicts in Ukraine, Myanmar, and Vietnam. It's a sobering, illuminating, and extremely worthwhile gallery.

Another interesting project by Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza's organization, albeit a slightly less imposing one than the monastery, is this modern art light installation on Lopud, inaugurated at the 2005 Venice Biennale. A play on light and perspective, you'll find it hidden away in the middle of the island. It's free to enter and only takes a few minutes to check out.