Franciscan Church and Monastery
Religious Site Historic Franciscan monastery in Dubrovnik housing an old pharmacy.
Dubrovnik’s Franciscan church and monastery in the Old Town contains one of Europe’s oldest pharmacies, a Romanesque cloister and small museum; visitors tour its art, library and quiet courtyards.
.JPG?width=1200)
The Franciscan Church and Monastery is a medieval monastic complex in the walled Old Town of Dubrovnik, Croatia, noted for its long-running pharmacy and preserved cloister. Parts of the site date back to the 14th century.
The complex includes a Romanesque-Gothic cloister with carved capitals and an arcaded courtyard, a Baroque church, a museum of religious art, and a pharmacy established in 1317. The museum displays medieval manuscripts, liturgical objects, and paintings from Dalmatian and Venetian collections.
The monastery was established by the Franciscan order in the medieval period and expanded through the 14th century; much of the church interior was rebuilt in Baroque style after the major 1667 earthquake that damaged Dubrovnik. The site has functioned continuously as a friary and religious center and preserved its pharmacy and library through successive restorations.
The complex sits on the main pedestrian thoroughfare within Dubrovnik’s Old Town, adjacent to the principal streets and landmarks of the walled city. It is immediately accessible on foot from other Old Town attractions.
- Old pharmacy: The historic pharmacy dates to 1317 and remains a notable onsite feature for visitors.
- Cloister architecture: The Romanesque-Gothic cloister survives largely intact from the medieval monastery and is a primary photographic and architectural highlight.
What to See #
- Cloister: A Romanesque-Gothic cloister dating to the 14th century with carved capitals and an arcaded courtyard that forms the architectural heart of the complex.
- Pharmacy: A pharmacy established in 1317 that is one of the oldest continuously operating pharmacies in Europe, located within the monastery complex.
- Monastery museum: A museum and library holding medieval manuscripts, liturgical objects, and paintings by Venetian and Dalmatian masters, displayed in former monastic rooms.
- Church: The Franciscan church attached to the monastery, rebuilt in Baroque style after the 1667 earthquake and forming the complex's principal worship space.
How to Get to Franciscan Church and Monastery #
The Franciscan Church and Monastery in Dubrovnik is inside the walled Old Town on the Stradun (Placa). From the main Gruž bus/port area take a local Libertas city bus or a short taxi ride to Pile Gate, then walk 2-5 minutes down the Stradun to the monastery.
Private vehicles are normally left outside the pedestrianized Old Town (near Pile Gate parking); expect a short walk from Pile Gate into the heart of the Old Town.
Tips for Visiting Franciscan Church and Monastery #
- Visit the Franciscan monastery early in the day before cruise-ship crowds swell Dubrovnik's Old Town to get quieter access to the cloister and displays.
- Allow time to see the monastery's historic pharmacy and small museum-the pharmacy in the Franciscan complex is one of Europe's oldest and is displayed as part of the visitor route.
- Combine this stop with a walk along Stradun and a short stretch of the City Walls; the monastery sits in the same central cluster of sites so you can see it without an extra trip across town.
Best Time to Visit Franciscan Church and Monastery #
Best to visit outside peak summer cruise-ship season to avoid crowds inside the church and monastery.
Weather & Climate near Franciscan Church and Monastery #
Franciscan Church and Monastery's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1168 mm/year), wettest in November.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).
Comfort
Weather
July
July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (138 mm).
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (165 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (150 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
.jpg?width=600)
.jpg?width=600)
