CAVTAT

Cavtat is the largest and the only urban centre in Konavle that has been built up deliberately. It is located on the peninsula of Rat, which surrounds the well protected and accessible bay together with the peninsula of Sustjepan. In its harmonious architecture, the centuries-old natural, spiritual and material affiliation to the Dubrovnik Republic can be observed.

Cavtat, the antique Epidaurus, was an important Roman colony in this region, which expires after the breakthrough of the Slavs and the Avarians into this area after the decline of the Western Roman Empire, and their inhabitants flee to the neighbouring settlement Laus-Rave-Ragus, wherefrom Dubrovnik arose. In historical sources, Cavtat is also mentioned with the name Ragusa Vecchia, what clearly testifies to the connection of these two cities. In the times of the Dubrovnik Republic, Cavtat was the second most important seaport, place of trade and of administration in the Republic after Dubrovnik.

Places like Cavtat offering so much to the visitors are quite rare. Its scenery, the rich cultural and historical heritage along with the range of services offered to tourists meet the demands of the present day tourists, thus making it one of the most attractive destinations on the Adriatic coast. Cavtat is located between the magic city of Dubrovnik on one side and beautiful Konavle on the other. There one can still feel the spirit of the past time and experience the centuries old tradition of our ancestors. It is an ideal holiday resort. Each visitor can discover his own wishes, enjoy the hidden coves at peace, long walks at the seaside or spend active holidays going in for recreational sports and entertaining cultural programmes.

Legend on the genesis of the name of Cavtat
The legend about the development of the name Cavtat is interesting, because it says that two suitors had asked the beautiful Cavtislava's hand in marriage, the daughter of the Epidaurian ruler, so that the father decided to give her to that suitor, who would perform the bigger task. One of the admirers, the commander Stjepan, should bring aquaviva from the source Vodovaða in Konavle, and the other one, a brave knight and seafarer, should bring a ship full of silk from the wide world. On the day of the festivities of the opening of the Epidaurian viaduct, the beautiful Cavtislava should first satisfy her thirst with water from a golden jar, but before, a big lizard jumped out of the water directly onto the girl's lap. Cavtislava's heart failed for fear and she immediately dropped dead. According to tales in the common tongue, the unfortunate seafarer, whose ship was sunk by a huge storm directly in front of Epidaurus, and who therefore was not able to fulfil his task, put the lizard into the viaduct since he could not bear the loss of the girl. In memory of the beautiful Cavtislava, at this place arose Cavtat, after an earthquake had destroyed the town.

Another legend says that Cavtat derives from the Old-Croatian verb 'captiti' - 'to blossom', refering to the yellow juniper, that so widwspread sparkling plant with a sunny aura. The legend relate its doom to the catastrpohes after which the indestructible Cavtat would come back to life again and anew. "....down there, there's something adorned with gold blossoming it the reef....."

You can come to Cavtat by all means of transport, except by train.

Arrival by plane
The Dubrovnik Airport is in Ćilipi, only 5 km from Cavtat. For local transport to Cavtat, taxi service is available 0-24 hours.

Arrival by bus
You can come to Cavtat by bus through Dubrovnik, which is only 18 km away. In addition to international lines, there are daily intercity lines to and from all major Croatian cities and towns.

For transport from Dubrovnik to Cavtat, use bus number 10, scheduled every 30 minutes. -

Arrival by ship
You can come to Cavtat by ferry, through the Dubrovnik port, which is connected by ferry lines with other Croatian ports (Korèula, Split, Zadar, Rijeka), as well as with Italian ports.

source: Tourist Board of Konavle

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