The golden age is often mentioned in history, which usually represents the greatest prosperity of the state, wealth, art, culture, and the like. In Dubrovnik – a city that is definitely worth seeing – it is important to have a good licensed guide and listen to the story of the ‘golden age’ of Dubrovnik.
During the Republic, Dubrovnik’s people kept their wealth in the treasury of the Cathedral (The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, ), of course, locked, with three keys. The prince of Dubrovnik guarded one, the bishop took care of the other, and the third was entrusted to the secretary of the Republic.
Proverbially wise, suspicious, and careful, they agreed that the treasury door could be opened only at the same time by turning all the keys.
Not without reason!
The Treasury of Dubrovnik Cathedral still proudly preserves the value and the world reputation of Dubrovnik goldsmithing and the artistic treasure of the Republic from the XI. to XVIII. century.
Jewelry was used at that time to emphasize the status in society, Dubrovnik goldsmiths made in their street, Zlatarska, (the Golden street) and it was in various styles (Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque style) according to the trends change.
During the ‘golden’ time, they even exported a lot in the 14th and 15th centuries.
To Sv. Blaise, the city patron, Dubrovnik goldsmiths made by with the little help of foreign masters the reliquary; head of St. Blaise made of gold, enamel, and pearls, which can be seen every year in February on the Procession of the city patron.
Unfortunately, a large part of the goldsmith’s work was destroyed in the earthquake of 1667 and the fire that followed, and the French ‘appropriated’ a lot of it during the occupation of Dubrovnik (1806-1813).
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Even today, Dubrovnik goldsmiths’ skilled hands produce traditional items that have become a recognizable Dubrovnik souvenir. It’s how konaovke earrings, Konavle earrings, also known as verižice, gained their world fame.
Konavle, are gold or silver rings and are often decorated with pearls and corals. Konaovke were very important to young Dubrovnik women because they were one of the first gifts I would give to the groom.
And the same rule applies today, the bigger and better decorated, the better status the future family had and the greater the wealth.
One of the most beautiful queens in the world, Queen Raina of Jordan, bought Konavle earrings during her visit to Dubrovnik and often wore them in public.
