It has long been considered that Dubrovnik was established in 7th century, but newest archeological findings show that there was a settlement even before. Dubrovnik started to develop as city commune and to gradually spread its territory. Dubrovnik acknowledged the authority of Byzantium (until the 1204), Venice (till 1358), Croatian- Hungary Empire (till 1526), and sovereignty of Turkish Empire (1526- 1806) to which it paid yearly tribute for independence and free trade. The main resources of Republic's income were maritime affairs and trade between western and eastern countries. The peak of economic prosperity Dubrovnik reached in 15th and 16th century. Economic prosperity effected culture, science and art, so this period is called Golden period of Dubrovnik.

Destructive earthquake in 1667 made great damages in town, but with great efforts people from Dubrovnik managed to preserve political independence and reconstruct destroyed.

Politically Dubrovnik was arranged as aristocratic republic, which means that the town was managed exclusively by the members of the aristocracy who were organized in three councils. They elected the rector who was replaced every month.

French army entered Dubrovnik in 1806 and in the year 1808 Napoleon abolishes the Republic. After Napoleon's failure, attempts to renew Republic did not succeed, and in 1815 Dubrovnik became part of the Austrian- Hungary monarchy. After the breakup of the monarchy in 1918, Dubrovnik enters the Yugoslavian Kingdom (in 1945 Socialistic Republic Yugoslavia)

Since independence in 1991, Dubrovnik is in the composition of Republic of Croatia. During the Croatian War of Independence (1991- 1995) Dubrovnik suffered Serbian- Montenegrin siege, human loses and great, material damages. After the war it started to develop as tourist center.