A memorial replica of a historic chart issued in 1230 AD by a Bulgarian Tsar unveiled in Dubrovnik!
Dubrovnik is generally known as a uniquely preserved, very old town on the Adriatic Coast, of unparalleled architectural harmony, a true feast for the eye. For its festivals in open air, it is also known as a city-stage, a city-poet, a poet-city, the uncountable epithets and admiration coming from uncountable celebrities and anonymous people alike. Its history has been explored and researched so much, yet it seems that the treasures in its old chest simply never end. The year was 1230 A.D. The Second Bulgarian Empire was progressing and enlarging its territories like never before, reaching all the way to the southern coasts of The Adriatic, not far away from Dubrovnik itself.
Dubrovnik’s proverbial diplomacy and trading skills that already by then were talked about along the shores of the Black Sea, brought a bunch of them to the Court of the Tsar Ivan Asen II, an emperor with a vision if judged by the many great moves he made for his country (1218-1241). In brief, the Tsar released a Chart that granted free trade, free movement and acquisition of property anywhere within the Empire to every citizen of Dubrovnik. Nay, the Chart also quotes the Tsar declaring that whoever would do any harm to anybody from Dubrovnik, would automatically become his personal enemy.
The Chart might easily be one of the earliest documents of the sort ever issued to The Republic of Dubrovnik. Just note that its Archives were founded ‘only’ in 1278 (and have been storing history for us to this very day!) Owing to zealous diplomats and staff of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria to Croatia, and in collaboration with Croatian national and local authorities, a nice replica of the Chart in its real size was unveiled in
Dubrovnik yesterday, June 29 2107. Symbolically, it is located in a small park at Ploče, on the eastern side of the City Walls. The ceremony was led by Mr. Boyko Borisov, Bulgarian Prime Minister and Mr. Mato Franković, the Mayor of Dubrovnik and, at this occasion, a special envoy of the Croatian Prime Minister. Dubrovnik has so exposed one more of its innumerable gems to everybody.
Have a look for yourself, it is only ten steps up from the bus stop by Ploče Gate!
