January 31st, 1808 - The day Dubrovnik Republic ceased to exist
Date added: 31.01.2008
The dream of Republic lasted almost a Millennium. From the very birth of the Republic on the isle of Laus, through Saracen and Serbian sieges (9-12ct ), 150 dark years under the Venetian authorithy in 13th and 14th ct (yet even in those years Republic being able to keep a part of its sovereignty), golden years in 15th, 16th ct (despite the large tribute Republic had to pay to Ottoman Turkish Empire throught the years), and ages of decline in 17-18ct. (after the great Earthquake of 1667. nothing was the same again), Dubrovnik Republic managed to keep one treasure it valued the most – its freedom. From the beginning it was developing as a Republic of trade, commerce and good living for all of its population, keeping their army forces at minimum but investing in defense most powerful of all – diplomacy and rethorics. When it suited the Republic, it was under the protection of Turks, Croatian-hungarian monarchs, some Italian states or even Spain, but always in the way the Republic decided to be the right one, and always successfully evading submission to the will of their patron(s). All untill one spring morning, May 27th, 1806 when french Napoleon army led by general Lauriston entered in the Old City and commenced the siege of the republic in 200 years ago right to this day, once powerfull and esteemed Republic of Dubrovnik ceised to exist.
1806. was one of the hardest years for Dubrovnik freedom since it was right in the middle of the battlefield between France on one side and Russian army aided by Montenegrian forces on the other. The neutrality of the Republic has been seriously compromised and when faced with two great evils, the Rupublic chose to take the lesser one, and let the French army inside the city walls (since there were no big patrons left in the world to help the Republic with Turkey as their old patron being under the great political influence of France, and Austria being in no position to make any pleas).
After being invaded by French army, it was soon surrounded by Russian and Montenegrian forces who have begun a 2 months siege of the city, constantly shelling Dubrovnik from the hills of Srdj and Zarkovica and the siege lasted untill July 6th 1806.
The next year and a half have passed in Republic's efforts to protect and preserve its sovereignity. Its diplomats were endlessly working on all European court, while the main focus was on Napoleon's court in order to persuade the Bonaparte to give back to Republic its independence.
In the meantime, French legislation in Dubrovnik was doing its best to dismantle everything that held the Republic's name, giving out orders to close all Republic's consulates througout the Europe, to change Dubrovnik flag on all Republic's ships with flag of Italian Kingdom and confiscating all ships still sailing under Dubrovnik flag.
Even though the Republic at some points throught 1807. thought it was making progress on their claims and aspirations, on December 27th a new order was issued in Dubrovnik to put down the Republic's flag from Orlando's collumn where it had proudly stood for centuries. All the protests and letters from the Republic's Senate became futile at that point and the Dubrovnik flag was finally removed on Jan 6th 1808 with the flag of Italian Kingdom raised. This was a symbolic fall of the Republic following a short decrete, that was read aloud in Dubrovnik in January 31st 1808. where, by orders of french general Marmont (later blessed by Napoleon), the parliament, court and all other institutions of the Republic were immediately to be dismissed. After a whole millennium, the Republic ceased to exist.
goDubrovnik goes online
Date added: 15.04.2007
Dear Visitor
After months of brainstorming, programming and more programming, www.godubrovnik.com has finally seen the light of day. Thanks to many young volonteers, programmers and designers from the Navigator Asssociation (Udruga Navigator) in Dubrovnik, we have commeneced creating an overall information site about all tourist attractions in Dubrovnik and region.
Everybody who wants to join us and help us with his/her ideas about how the site should look like, or with any suggestions about how to improve tourism as a business as well as tourist satisfaction in Dubrovnik area and the city itself is welcome to contact us at info@godubrovnik.com All suggestions and help are much appreciated and will be replied to by our team.
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