Široka street (Broad street)

Široka Street, also known as Broad Street, in the Old Town of Dubrovnik, is a distinctive and historically important place that is very different from other streets in the city. Unlike standard-width streets, whose width was strictly defined by the laws of the Republic of Dubrovnik, Široka Street is about three times wider.

The width of Široka Street is a practical necessity. The street was bordered by a barn building, which required quick access to this important facility. The storage and distribution of grain was crucial in Dubrovnik’s history, especially in the Middle Ages, when grain stocks were as important as ammunition in both sieges and difficult years.

The nearby Rupe Barn, built between 1542 and 1590, is close to Široka Street and is architecturally interesting. The barn was originally three stories high, but the top floor was demolished in the early 20th century during the Austrian rule. On the lower floor of the Rupe barn there are 15 large dry pits with a capacity of about 1,500 tons of grain.

Today, the Rupe barn is a museum, which, in addition to its historical function, also includes an ethnographic collection. In the ethnographic collection, it is possible to see objects from the daily life of the inhabitants of the Dubrovnik region, folk costumes and other exhibits related to the customs of Dubrovnik throughout history.

At the end of the street is the Domino Church, built in 1452 and the only church in Dubrovnik with a rectangular apse and three aisles. The church, which was destroyed in the great earthquake of 1667, was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the same century. The church has Andrea Vaccaro’s 17th-century altarpiece "Glory to All Saints".

Široka Street and its surroundings offer an interesting insight into the history and culture of Dubrovnik, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the city’s unique and historic sites.