Sponza Palace, Gothic palace in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Sponza Palace is a building combining Gothic and Renaissance elements located in Dubrovnik's Old Town. The facade features Gothic windows on the first floor and Renaissance windows with an alcove on the second floor, while a Renaissance portico with six Corinthian columns marks the entrance.
The building was constructed between 1516 and 1522 and initially functioned as a customs house, mint, treasury, and armory. It survived the devastating earthquake of 1667 that destroyed much of the city.
The Memorial Room of the Defenders displays black-and-white photographs of people who died between 1991 and 1995 protecting Dubrovnik. This space lets visitors connect directly with the city's recent past.
Inside are State Archives with manuscript collections spanning nearly 1000 years, with selected copies displayed on the lower level. Visitors should allow time to explore the different rooms and exhibitions throughout the building.
The name comes from the Latin word 'spongia,' indicating where rainwater was collected in medieval times. This shows how practical needs of the city shaped the names of its important buildings.
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