Dubrovnik surroundings - a unique summer residence preserved in its original form

Summer Residence Vice Stjepovic-Skocibuha

The summer residence of Vice Stjepovic-Skocibuha was built between February and December 1563. Vice Stjepovic-Skocibuha, a respected shipbuilder from Dubrovnik of the prominent Stjepovic-Skocibuha family, commissioned the estate east of his father's castle. He decided to build the summer residence and fortified manor two years earlier due to family disputes. The site chosen for construction previously served as a shipyard.

Building materials were transported from Kupari, while most of the stone used for construction came from the island of Korcula, with a smaller portion sourced locally.

The larger building, made of finely hewn stone, is a single-story residence intended for family life. A smaller house was built to accommodate the family's resident chaplain, creating the main and auxiliary buildings of the estate. The chapel, adjoining the south side of the family residence, was dedicated to Saint Thomas, in memory of Vice's father, as stated in his will.

By the end of the 16th century, the fully completed complex included:

• the family residence,

• two three-story defensive towers, built to protect against pirate attacks,

• front and back gardens, connected by a rectangular promenade,

• the Church of Saint Thomas,

• loggias (Glorijet),

• a mill,

• cisterns located both in the house and the tower,

• storage rooms,

• a terrace pavilion,

• a bridge, and

• a fortified entrance.

The residence preserves several exceptionally rare architectural features, including a rectangular Renaissance fireplace with its original stucco-decorated hood, an extraordinary rarity in the Dubrovnik region; an elegant Renaissance stone sink with finely carved relief borders; and a remarkable example of the only preserved wooden balcony from the 16th century (Balatur above the stairwell of the loggia) in the entire Mediterranean area.

The estate embodies all defining characteristics of Dubrovnik Renaissance country house architecture. It is the only fully preserved example of this type of aristocratic summer residence in Croatia.

All available properties and premium offers in the region: Lopud