The monastery's pharmacy has been in continuous operation since 1317, making it the third oldest in the world.
The 1667 earthquake destroyed the original Romanesque church, though the cloister survived significantly intact.
The monastery library contains 137 incunabula, which are books printed before the year 1501.
A stone head of a human figure protrudes from the wall near the entrance; legend suggests one can gain good fortune by balancing on it.
The cloister was designed by Mihoje Brajkov of Bar in 1360.
The pharmacy collection includes original medieval ceramic jars and ancient medical laboratory equipment.
The complex preserves a significant collection of 15th-century paintings by Dubrovnik school artists.
The Franciscan Church and Monastery is a historic 14th-century complex located at the entrance to Dubrovnik's Old Town. It houses one of the oldest functioning pharmacies in the world, established in 1317. The complex features a distinct late-Romanesque cloister characterized by double columns and stone carvings. Its museum collection includes a rare library containing over 20,000 volumes, including 1,200 valuable manuscripts. The church building was heavily rebuilt following the devastating 1667 earthquake, resulting in a blend of Gothic and Baroque architectural styles. The interior remains a center for religious life and scholarly research. The atrium serves as a central courtyard, featuring a fountain and lush Mediterranean greenery. Visitors can access both the historic pharmacy area and the upper-level library collection.
The center of the Romanesque cloister, looking toward the fountain and the surrounding arches.
Visit the pharmacy museum first, as it is the most popular part of the complex.
Walk slowly through the cloister to admire the unique, non-symmetrical carvings on each column.
Check the library entrance specifically, as access to the book collection may have restricted viewings compared to the cloister.
Do not attempt to touch the historic artifacts or climb on the cloister columns.
Shoulders and knees must be covered; maintain a quiet voice as the site remains an active religious space.
