Cavtat (, it, Ragusa Vecchia, lit=Old Ragusa (Croatia), Ragusa) is a village in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County of Croatia. It is on the Adriatic Sea coast south of Dubrovnik and is the centre of the Konavle municipality.

History

Antiquity

The original city was founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC under the name of Epidaurus (Dalmatia), Epidaurus (or Epidauros, el, Ἐπίδαυρος). The surrounding area was inhabited by the Illyrians, who called the city Zaptal. The town changed its name to Epidaurum when it came under Roman rule in 228 BC. Justinian I the Emperor of the Byzantine Empire sent his fleet to Cavtat during the Gothic War (535–554) and occupied the town. Cavtat3

The city was sacked and destroyed by the Avars (Carpathians), Avars and Slavs in the 7th century. Refugees from Epidaurum fled to the nearby island, Laus (Ragusa) which over time evolved into the city of Dubrovnik.

Middle Ages

The town was re-established in the Middle Ages ( it, Ragusa Vecchia). After a short while it came under the control of its powerful neighbor, the Republic of Ragusa. The modern Croatian name for the city reveals its ancient origins and its link with Dubrovnik. Cavtat is derived from ', which means ''old city'' in Latin Language.

Economy

Today, Cavtat is a popular tourist destination with many hotels and private households that rent rooms and apartments. The seafront is filled with shops and restaurants. There are several beaches in Cavtat and its surroundings, among them Pasjača Beach, Pasjača, as well as Ključice, Obod, Rat and Žal. A ferry boat connects the town to neighbouring Mlini and Dubrovnik. There are often many private luxury ships and yachts along the strand.

Culture

The town cemetery on the hill contains a mausoleum belonging to the Račić family and decorated by the sculptor Ivan Meštrović. In year 2004 Cavtat got the title ''European Competition for Towns and Villages in Blooms'', especially for the well-tended green areas and flower arrangements on the beach promenade. The Epidaurus Festival of Music has been held annually in Cavtat since 2007.

Notable people

* Vlaho Bukovac (1855–1922), painter * Tino Pattiera (1890–1966), opera singer * Luko Zore (1846–1906), philologist and Slavist * Frano Supilo (1870–1917), politician * Baltazar Bogišić (1834–1908), jurist, law historian and ethnologist * Niko Koprivica (1889–1944), politician * Dinko Zlatarić (1558–1613), poet and translator * Raimondo Cunich (1719–1794), humanist * Ljudevit Vuličević (1839–1916), Serbian writer and patriot

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Cavtat is Twin towns and sister cities, twinned with: * Bochnia, Poland * Watsonville, California, Watsonville, California, United States, USA

Gallery

File:Cavtat, Croacia, 2014-04-19, DD 02.JPG, View from the harbour File:Iglesia de San Nicolás, Cavtat, Croacia, 2014-04-19, DD 03.JPG, St Nicholas church File:Cavtat, Croacia, 2014-04-19, DD 09.JPG, Shore at Cavtat File:Cavtat, Croacia, 2014-04-19, DD 11.JPG, Harbour File:Monasterio de Nuesra Señora de la Nieve, Cavtat, Croacia, 2014-04-19, DD 06.JPG, Monastery of Our Lady of the Snow File:Cavtat, Croacia, 2014-04-19, DD 12.JPG, Town hall File:Cavtat, Croatia - panoramio - Aleksandar Topuzović.jpg, The Hotel Croatia File:Lignje na žaru - Konoba Toranj (14912816982).jpg, Fresh local cuisine

References

;Notes

External links

Cavtat Info
Villa Vidak: Cavtat Information
Cavtatportal.com
Up to date news from Cavtat and vicinity {{Authority control Populated places in Dubrovnik-Neretva County Populated coastal places in Croatia 6th-century BC establishments Populated places established in the 6th century BC Konavle