The Stradun in Dubrovnik is famous for its cafe culture and medieval buildings and churches but there is one more thing that it is famous for and that is shopping. During the early hours of the afternoon just after lunchtime the Stradun willl be buzzing with shoppers from all over the world. Why come to Dubrovnik? Well, you will be surprised what you can find in this medieval thoroughfare. Let's take a look, should we?
Did you know that another name for tie is 'cravat.' The original name is French but the tie actually comes from Croatia. It was during the Thirty Years War that Croatians were spotted by the French Cavalry for wearing their scarves in a distinctive manner. The French Cavalry named the style, 'a la cravate' (the Croatian way).
All Croatian ties are made from pure silk and the best shop to buy them from is Croata on Pred Dvorom Street.
Jewellery
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Dubrovnik is a very good place to buy silver jewellery and there is a shop called Art Silver situated on Naljeskoviceva. Here you can purchase stylish bracelets and chunky rings. All jewellery is handmade and crafted from silver and semi-precious stones.
Vinoteka
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This is the Croatian word for wine shop and this particular one can be found in the heart of the Old City. It sells Croatian and Slovenian wines alongside olive oil and truffles. You can find the shop at the entrance of the Stradun. Dalmatian wines to look out for are the reds such as Plavac, Dingac and Posup. White wines come from Korcula.
Handicrafts
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Croatia has a long tradition of ceramics and wooden handicrafts. Replicas of Mestrovic sculptures are very popular in Dubrovnik. You can also buy dolls, wooden toys and ceramic hearts. The hearts go back to times when the families of sailors would donate gold or silver hearts to churches, as votive offerings to make sure the men safely return to their loved ones.
Other items to buy are Croatian spirits such as grape-herb and plum based brandies like grappa, travarica and sljivovica, which are drunk as aperitifs ir digestifs. You will see many a pretty bottle crammed with herbs. These lovely packaged bottles make a splendid gift. Another good Vinoteka is the large wine shop on Od Puca 9, and here you will come across the shops great range of good quality wines and spirits from all over Croatia. Attractively bottled spirits and oils are also available and if you are searching for the beautiful Istrian truffle you will be able to pick up both pastes and oil here. Be warned they are expensive.
So I hope I have been able to tempt you so that the next time you are in Dubrovnik you will consider strutting down the Stradun to do a little shopping.