Sponza Palace

Palača Sponza (Državni arhiv u Dubrovniku)

The arched courtyard that beats the heat

Address

East end of Stradun, on Luža Square

Sponza is the first stone facade your eye lands on at the end of Stradun. Built in the 16th century as a customs house and mint, it now holds the city archives, with records going back to 1022. The arched courtyard stays cool and shaded even at a July noon. It makes a good place to cool down before or after the walls.