Cavtat Then and Now
Being first inhabited by
Illyrians and a handful of Greek traders
(the original name is similar to that of the
city in Peloponnese which had the god
Asclepius as its protector, the Illyrians
called the city Zaptal),
and then, in 228 BC Romans (Epidaurum, Ragusa Vecchia)
who made it into a colony, Cavtat acquired
and never relinquished that special ancient
spirit that's easily seen and even more so
felt when one finds oneself here in this
little garden of Earthly Eden.
History sadly also records the times when this peculiar charm was diminished (for decades, centuries even, after the barbarians razed it circa 620). Only later, during the Renaissance, the town was rebuilt. Moreover, it was built according to the strict prescribes of the Ragusan Republic. Due to its beauty, natural as well as man-made, its rich history and its Mediterranean climate which just invites you to ease you mind, relax and savor the moment, this little town that in supreme tranquility rests on the slopes of the southern coast of Croatia has become one of the most sought after European tourist resorts.
 Cavtat, beginning of the 20th ct. Needless to say, Cavtat today offers its visitors everything a modern resort should: a treasure trove filled with history, art and culture; beautiful beaches all around, fun sporting activities and lively night entertainment; inviting palm-lined promenades and restful spas in the comfortable hotels; horseback-riding and excursions to the Elafiti islands or to wherever else the visitors would like to venture), delicious specialties in the restaurants for every taste and pocket .
In Cavtat time seems to stop. However, this is only a matter of subjective perception for you'll just as soon, much like you would in your hometown, spot various architectural designs, the witnesses to the great historical epochs that had flown by.
Speaking from experience, when you find yourself in Cavtat, you begin to feel your senses overwhelmed with intoxicating aroma of pine trees that summer breeze carries all throughout, the faint laughter and voices that eccho from the distant pebbly beaches, the site of inviting, comfortably warm, crystal clear, clean, blue Adriatic sea . . . Yes, Cavtat is full of such mysteries and subtle surprises. . .
Cavtat, present day
. . . and you catch yourself
rolling a sip of some full bodied merlot or
cabernet around your tongue, all while
watching the sunset and thinking: "Why did
it take me so long to find this
Eden?"
Soon, you realize that your appetite grows for, as Aristotle put it, "not merely a life, but a good life". . . . . . and the magic of Cavtat is suddenly revealed. |
Ragusan Republic was a city-state. Mercantile power; Venice's rival; first European state to recognize the independent US; has best preserved archives in Europe.Existed from the 12 ct. to 1806. Please visit Cavtatportal's Dubrovnik page for more information). The Elafiti are a stretch of islands northward off the coast of Dubrovnik. They are comprised of Daksa, Koločep, Sveti Andrija, Lopud, Ruda, Šipan, Mišnjak, Jakljan, Kosmeč, Goleč, Crkvine, Tajan and Olipa. Please visit Cavtatportal's Elafiti Islands page for more information. |
