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The Republic had good diplomatic relationships with countless states, yet in order come trade v the Ottoman empire (in what is now Turkey) it was required to pay a large amount that money yearly in the type of a ‘tribute’. What is more, it was also required come send ‘guest’ hostages (noble citizen of the Republic who were treated through respect, but who acted together a ‘guarantee’ that the tribute would certainly arrive again the adhering to year) to Istanbul throughout the year. Over there wasn’t much an option in the issue though, together this ensured maintaining their independence which they valued over all, with the Republic’s motto gift “Non bene pro toto libertas venditur auro,” meaning “liberty is not well sold for all the gold.”
There was great benefit in gift able to openly trade in the East. The Ottoman empire used the Republic like a key distributer of merchandise in the inside Balkans. The main goods dispersed were ore, especially silver and Dubrovnik to be the key port for products that were traveling from Italian says to black color Sea. Under the security of the ottoman Empire, Dubrovnik had actually a settlement in every major city in the Balkans, indigenous Istanbul to Belgrade, Bucharest, Sofia and Sarajevo, whereby it had created its own hospitals, trade courts, cemeteries and also churches within the cities.
The Republic had strong relations with Rome and also the Spanish majesties too. Not only was that a roman Catholic country, but it was likewise a key trade mediator between the West and East. With all of these benefits in both politics and goods, Dubrovnik arisen a good fleet i m sorry was even covered against crashes by naval insurance from the city itself. The city port of Gruž (Grauosa) could receive approximately 100 big ships, the largest of which was the famed Dubrovnik Karaka, big enough to bring a crew of 140 people.
Karaka ship — biggest seller ship that the Republic
There were countless famous sailors who to be not sailing under the Republican flag alone, however who to be captains of international ships. Documents from the 18th century case that Dubrovnik had about 250 delivery captains. That is ships were also active in the Atlantic, and also especially across the shores in England (London and also Southampton), where they traded Greek wine and also English wool.
Behind all the strength of diplomacy and also wealth was the Republic’s main trading good — salt. Salt was the main item of export during the Republican times and also the income created from it to be huge. After ~ liberation from Venice, Dubrovnik bought region in the peninsula of Pelješac where the famed salt functions were energetic during the roman inn times. The salt functions were automatically revitalised and the new city the Ston was founded, complete with all of the necessary governmental support.
Ston town through salt works
Ston’s salt works room the oldest energetic salt works in Europe. Salt is tho being created here according to the “old way” — depending a many on the sun, wind and sea. End 45 000 square meter of salt works are split into 53 pools that room each called for what are taken into consideration the most important Saints in Dubrovnik (among who St. Blaise, the guardian of the city, St. Francis, St. Nicholas and also St. Joseph). The only pool the does not lug a saint’s surname is Mundo — the swimming pool from i beg your pardon the Republic supplied to offer salt come its poorest citizens.
Salt to be a really expensive commodity, and at the time often used because that the conservation of food. The price was thus an extremely high and only the wealthiest patrons could afford it in big amounts. Many of the salt was shipped to the Habsburg court in Vienna. The purest, and therefore highest possible quality salt was taken from a unique pool paved with granite slabs.
With the vast benefits accorded v the salt trading (a 3rd of the complete GDP in ~ the time), the living-standard in the Republic throughout the 17th century to be the highest possible in Europe. According to old records, the salt works produced much more than 6000 tonnes the salt every year between 1611 and also 1637. In comparison, this particular day Ston’s salt works create only around 2000 tonnes every year.
In bespeak to safeguard their key commodity, the Republic developed a huge system the fortifications increase to 7 thousand kilometre in length between the 14th and also the 18th centuries. The wall surfaces were reinforced v ten round and thirty-one smaller square forts, the together comprise the longest wall surfaces in the people after the great Wall the China. The reasons for building such a mechanism were the high level the insecurity brought about by wars between the ottoman Empire and also Western Europe.
Fortification device in Ston
In bespeak to carry out high protection to both the citizens and city’s main commodity, the was crucial to have actually a stable government. Not just did the Republic boast well-organised diplomat abroad, but it also had its own city administration to maintain law and order that was detailed by the large and the tiny Council and the Senate. They sought to place the Republic’s understand first, and disobeying this order v greed or self-interest was instantly sanctioned. From in ~ the Councils and also the Senate members a battle each other was chosen. The battle each other was a symbolic figure only and also his mandate it s long for only one month. In this way, castle supressed individuality and the opportunity of autocracy.
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With security and also safety guaranteed, many citizens were rich. It was a contemporary and well-organised culture with highly emerged legislation which, as a result, in 1416 abolished slavery and condemned servant trafficking on your ships.
Dubrovnik flag through Quote “Libertas” — quick for “Non bene agree toto libertas venditur auro” and a typical site in Dubrovnik now still