Location: Luža Square (Pred Dvorom), east end of the Stradun, Old Town, Dubrovnik
Venue style: Renaissance-Gothic palace courtyard · monumental civic space · festival performance venue
History
Built between 1516 and 1522 by Paskoje Miličević Mihov, the Sponza Palace served as Dubrovnik's customs house, mint, armoury, treasury, bank and literary academy (the Academia dei Concordi was founded here in the 16th century). Its famous inscription — 'When I measure goods, God measures with me' — reflects its mercantile history. The palace survived the catastrophic 1667 earthquake intact and today houses the State Archives of Dubrovnik (documents from 1022 onward). The Luža Square in front hosts the opening ceremony of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival each July, while the courtyard serves as an intimate performance space for theatre and monodrama.
Visitor notes
Check the venue's own site for schedules, bag policy and parking before you go.