Cavtat is located 15 km South east form Dubrovnik. Today's Cavtat was built on the ruins of old Greek colony Epidaurus which was totally burned down and destroyed by Slavic tribes in 7th century. The refugees from Epidaurus have fled to island Lave and found a settlement today called Dubrovnik. Throughout the centuries Cavtat also became important settlement of Republic of Dubrovnik and one of the biggest refugee sanctuaries for all Christians fleeing from Turkish invasions, especially in 15th and 16th century. One of the most representative monuments in Cavtat is Franciscan monastery and church dedicated to Our Lady of Snows. On the little hill above the city there is an impressive mausoleum of Racic family designed and constructed by one of Croatia’s most famous sculptors – Ivan Mestrovic. There is also a cave in Cavtat – Sipun which was, according to the legend a habitat of a great dragon who was eating people and cattle but was slayed by Saint Ilar... nowadays a protector of Cavtat. Outside Cavtat there are three
			islands. The biggest one is Mrkan, formerly the center of Trebinjsko – Mrkanska bishopry, which was also one of the first Quarantines of Dubrovnik Republic. The next island is Bobara, also part of the Trebinjsko – Mrkanska bishopry. It was also used as a stone quarry which made islands altitude to drop from 43 to 18 meters. The stone quarried at Bobara was used for building of Rector's Palace in Dubrovnik in 15th century. Today there is a herd of around 15 wild cows, brought to the island in late 1990-ies and still living there uninterrupted, so if you want to visit the island on foot, beware! The smallest island is Supavao (or St. Paul's Island). It is just one meter above the sea level and without much vegetation... but becoming more and more popular as stage for modern techno and rave parties in recent years.