Publications
Hero City and Tourist City: Memory of the Homeland War in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik's post-war memorial culture uniquely integrates tourism and historical memory, contrasting with other Croatian sites. During the 1991–1992 siege, Dubrovnik leveraged its international fame to highlight humanitarian conditions and cultural heritage damage, aiding Croatia's recognition. Unlike other war-affected areas, Dubrovnik's monuments within the Old Town are designed for tourists, featuring foreign-language text and photographs, blending remembrance with visitor engagement.
Post-1979 Montenegro Earthquake Retrofitting of Rector's Palace in Dubrovnik’s Old City: Preserving Architectural and Sculptural Heritage
Retrofitting efforts for the Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik’s Old City, a 13th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site, have demonstrated effective preservation of its architectural and sculptural heritage against modern earthquake design-level shaking. The study highlights that two retrofitting phases—1982-1984 and 2015-2018—significantly mitigated seismic risk while maintaining the building's structural integrity, particularly in vulnerable areas like the atrium and arcades. This research builds on lessons from past earthquakes, including the 1979 Montenegro earthquake (ML7.2), which prompted the development of seismic regulations in Croatia. The findings offer practical recommendations for balancing heritage conservation with cost-effective earthquake protection, ensuring sustainable preservation without irretrievable damage.
Vesna Miović. The Jews of the Dubrovnik Republic, 1546–1808
A detailed historical analysis reveals that the Jewish community in Dubrovnik, established in 1546 within a ghetto modeled after Venice's, experienced significant growth and integration despite periodic tensions with the Church. The study highlights the Ragusan government's progressive stance, supporting Jews as vital economic intermediaries between the Ottoman Republic and Empire while mitigating conflicts, such as those involving Catholic servants in Jewish homes. Over centuries, religious tolerance allowed the community to expand, with the ghetto's boundaries growing alongside its population. The research also explores daily life aspects, including cultural activities like theatrical performances, conversions, and conflicts documented in court records. Appendices list Jewish families across time, supplemented by maps, graphs, and archival documents, providing a comprehensive overview of this understudied yet resilient community.
Children and overtourism: a cognitive neuroscience experiment to reflect on exposure and behavioural consequences
Children, despite preferring sustainable tourism scenarios, show a notable fixation on overtourism imagery, particularly overcrowding, according to a cognitive neuroscience study involving 397 participants. The research revealed that while children exhibit increased physiological arousal when exposed to sustainable tourism images—though less than with overtourism—they predominantly express neutral emotions in both contexts. Gender differences emerged, with girls showing lower place attachment in sustainable scenarios. Inner-city residents displayed diminished nature connectedness, and emotions were indirectly linked to pro-environmental behavior. Older children and inner-city residents showed heightened neutrality toward overtourism concerns, while those outside the city exhibited stronger nature connectedness. The study underscores the need for inclusive, child-empowered approaches to sustainable tourism development.
Earthquake Performance of a Cultural Heritage Building: The Jesuit College in Dubrovnik, Croatia
A critical seismic vulnerability assessment of the Jesuit College in Dubrovnik, Croatiareveals that its irregular stone-mortar construction is highly susceptible to earthquake damage. Using finite element modeling calibrated with ambient vibration testing, researchers identified key structural weaknesses, including floor vaults and spatially irregular openings, which could lead to severe damage during a design-level earthquake. The study, conducted under the 'SeisRICHerCRO' project, also proposes targeted retrofitting measures based on Eurocode 8 guidelines. This work underscores the urgent need for seismic reinforcement in historic buildings, particularly those constructed with obsolete techniques in high-risk regions.
Evaluation of the Local Site Effects and Their Implication to the Seismic Risk of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Old City of Dubrovnik (Croatia)
A seismic risk assessment of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Old City of Dubrovnik reveals that local geological structures and site effects significantly influence earthquake vulnerability. The study, using non-invasive seismic survey methods, identified areas prone to stronger damage during tremors, particularly in response to historical earthquakes like those in 1667 (M ~ 7) and 1979 (M6.8). These findings provide critical data for mitigating seismic hazards, essential for preserving this cultural heritage site as a testament to its historical significance.
Evaluation of the Local Site Effects of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Old City of Dubrovnik (Croatia)
The Old City of Dubrovnik exhibits significant variations in local site effects that influence seismic risk. Built on three distinct geomorphological and geological entities—southern bedrock ridge, central filled part (former sea embayment), and northern bedrock ridge—the city's vulnerability to earthquakes is heightened by its complex subsurface conditions. A study funded by the Croatian Science Foundation aimed to map these variations using updated geophysical methods and new geological investigations, building on data from the 1980s. The research highlights the importance of precise microzonation maps for future planning, reconstruction, and seismic risk mitigation, following devastating historical earthquakes such as the 1667 event (M~7) and the 1979 earthquake (M6.8), which caused widespread damage despite its epicentral distance from Dubrovnik.
Revitalizing Rural Tourism: A Croatian Case Study in Sustainable Practices
A strategic shift towards rural tourism can significantly alleviate pressure on UNESCO World Heritage Sites while fostering sustainable economic growth. This study demonstrates that diversifying tourism in Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Croatia, by promoting inland areas with eco-friendly attractions, delivers substantial socio-economic and environmental benefits. The proposed model outperforms alternative approaches in cost-benefit analysis, though it relies on external funding for viability until 2040. By leveraging EU and national financing, the region can enhance infrastructure, support local businesses, and preserve natural heritage, ensuring long-term resilience and municipal growth.
Seismic Performance Assessment of the 18th Century Jesuit College in Dubrovnik’s Old City
A seismic performance assessment of the 18th-century Jesuit College in Dubrovnik’s Old City reveals significant vulnerabilities to earthquake damage, particularly due to stress concentration and out-of-plane bending in structural components. The study, conducted as part of a broader research project on cultural heritage seismic risk, used field surveys, finite element modeling calibrated with ambient vibration data, and Eurocode 8 guidelines to evaluate the building's response to seismic demand. Findings highlight critical zones requiring retrofitting to mitigate risks, underscoring the fragility of unreinforced masonry structures built before modern seismic design standards.
Smart Solutions for Sustainable Tourism Pearls: How to Live Between Culture and Tourism in Dubrovnik
Overtourism in Dubrovnik, despite not yet severely impacting infrastructure or environmental conditions, significantly affects residents' quality of life. A smart holistic model using 21 indicators from the HERIT-DATA project offers a data-driven approach to managing tourism flows sustainably. This model, applied in Dubrovnik's UNESCO-listed Old City, provides policy makers and destination managers with tools to anticipate and mitigate negative effects while balancing economic benefits. Existing applications for visitor prediction should be leveraged more effectively to optimize tourist distribution and protect cultural heritage.
The Importance of Space for Tourism in Croatia
Tourism, as both a social and economic phenomenon, significantly impacts the development of destinations like Croatia. This study reveals that spatial factors are crucial for tourism growth while emphasizing the need for long-term conservation to balance development. Visitor satisfaction surveys from Trogir’s 'Trogir cultural summer' and Dubrovnik’s 'Dubrovnik summer games' highlight high appreciation for aesthetic, ecological, and cultural values, though environmental concerns—such as airport proximity in Trogir and overcrowding in Dubrovnik—lower ratings. The research demonstrates that tourism thrives on spatial and environmental elements but also underscores the challenges of preserving historical integrity amid rising visitor numbers.
Opening up cultural governance through civil society participation
Participatory governance models in Croatian sociocultural centers demonstrate effective public-civil partnerships, showcasing diverse approaches to inclusive decision-making. The Lazareti Complex in Dubrovnik's Platform for Lazareti enables collaborative negotiations with city administration, while the Rojc Community Centre in Pula established an advisory body sharing formal responsibility between associations and municipal representatives. Pogon – Zagreb Centre for Independent Culture further institutionalized this model, equally distributing decision-making power between local authorities and a civil society alliance, the Association Alliance Operation City. These cases highlight successful mechanisms for integrating civil society into governance structures, fostering sustainable community engagement and cultural preservation in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
A Brief Biological History of Quarantine
Quarantine, an ancient practice for controlling infectious disease spread, remains a critical tool in modern public health. This study highlights its historical significance and enduring relevance, tracing its origins to the 14th-century Mediterranean response to bubonic plague. Dubrovnik's innovative quarantine legislation in 1377, balancing commerce with mortality risk, demonstrated its effectiveness when supported by local expertise, financial resources, and community acceptance. While quarantine has proven effective in reducing disease transmission—from human-to-human (e.g., COVID-19) to human-to-animal (e.g., mountain gorillas)—it also carries social and psychological harms, including stigma, economic hardship, and mental health impacts. The research synthesizes historical case studies with modern applications, emphasizing the need for tailored messaging, support systems, and ethical considerations to mitigate adverse effects while preserving its public health benefits.
Flora of the cobbled streets and pavements in the Mediterranean Old City of Dubrovnik during the COVID-19 lockdown
During the COVID-19 lockdown, which significantly reduced human trampling in Dubrovnik's Old City, researchers documented 57 plant species and three subspecies thriving on cobbled streets and pavements. The study, conducted in April 2020, revealed a dominance of therophytes (annual plants), cosmopolitan taxa, and species associated with ruderal habitats such as Papaveretea rhoeadis and Chenopodietea. By analyzing taxonomic composition, life forms, chorotypes, and phytosociological traits across eight sites—including the main street Stradun—the research underscored the resilience of urban flora in historical settings when subjected to minimal disturbance. This unique observation highlights the potential for urban plant communities to flourish under altered environmental conditions, offering insights into the ecological dynamics of Mediterranean World Heritage Sites.
Old Dubrovnik, Young Serbia and Vague Croatia. Mental Maps in the Serb-Catholic Imagination in Dubrovnik
A brief but impactful Serb-Catholic presence in Dubrovnik (19th–early 20th century) left enduring traces on the city's urban landscape, revealing complex intersections of language, religion, and national identity. The study, rooted in analysis of the cultural periodical Srdj (1902–08), uncovers how Serb-Catholics navigated linguistic criteria for Serbian identity while constructing symbolic mental maps that projected Serbian territory. This ambivalence—rooted in religious associations (Croatians with Catholicism, Serbs with Orthodoxy)—challenges simplistic national narratives and highlights the fluidity of identity formation during a pivotal era. The research underscores how even short-lived communities can shape urban symbolism and historical memory.
The perception of travellers and the World Heritage Site image
Differences in how tourists and cruise ship visitors perceive the image of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) are driven by distinct cognitive and affective elements. The study, conducted on 1,019 travellers visiting Dubrovnik’s Old City between April and October 2016, revealed that these two groups form their WHS image differently—tourists prioritize emotional connections, while cruise passengers lean toward more practical or sensory-based evaluations. Using advanced statistical methods like exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM), researchers identified key attributes shaping these perceptions, offering a framework to explore how information sources, demographics, and motivations influence overall WHS image formation.
Utilization of res using seawater source heat pump with and without energy storage: Comparison of Thermal and Battery Energy Storage
A combination of wind and solar electricity generation with seawater heat pump systems can cover 67% of the energy load for Dubrovnik's Old City while significantly reducing CO2 emissions by 433.71 tonnes annually. The study found that integrating thermal energy storage with these renewable sources further optimizes system performance, cutting storage capacity requirements by up to 78% compared to solar-only systems and 60% for wind-only systems. However, battery energy storage, while more compact (40 times smaller in volume), incurs substantially higher investment costs and levelized cost of heat—13 times greater than thermal storage. The research highlights the potential of power-to-heat technologies in decarbonizing heating and cooling sectors, particularly in heritage-protected areas where outdoor infrastructure is restricted.
(Un)supported Current Tourism Development in UNESCO Protected Site: The Case of Old City of Dubrovnik
Residents' perceptions of tourism's economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts in UNESCO-protected sites directly influence their support for tourism development. A study on the Old City of Dubrovnik (OCD) revealed that residents who view tourism positively tend to support its expansion, while those perceiving negative effects oppose it. The research applied statistical methods, including Cronbach alpha, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM), to test a model linking these perceptions to tourism support. Findings underscore the importance of resident perceptions in shaping sustainable tourism policies, particularly in UNESCO sites where interactions between locals, tourists, and development are intense.
Neki suvremeni sociogeografski procesi u povijesnoj jezgri grada Dubrovnika
The historic center of Dubrovnik has undergone significant transformation due to modern socio-economic pressures, particularly driven by tourism. The study reveals that the population of the old city declined drastically from 5,181 to 1,241 between 1953 and 2006, while the number of jobs tripled, creating a stark contrast between seasonal and off-season economic activity. Daily visitor numbers, reaching up to 40,000 in summer months—with 87.7% being tourists—have further exacerbated this shift. The research highlights how Dubrovnik’s historic core has become a cultural tourist product, with cruising tourism intensifying these trends. The study employs sociogeographical analysis to examine these processes, offering insights into the challenges faced by heritage sites in balancing development and preservation.
Report on Previous and Plan of Future Geodynamic Research in the Historical Centre of Old City of Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is located in a highly seismic region, with its historical center experiencing significant deformation due to tectonic movements. A study analyzing geodetic measurements from the 1980s and 1990s revealed critical deformations, particularly following the 1995-1996 earthquake sequence that included over 3000 tremors. The research highlights the urgent need for expanded interdisciplinary geodynamic monitoring, including precise horizontal, GNSS, and gravimetric measurements, to better understand the seismic risks posed by the Adriatic micro-plate's movements. This comprehensive approach aims to inform future research and reconstruction efforts in the vulnerable historical center.
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