The Dubrovnik carrack is a large sailing ship built in the Republic of Dubrovnik since the 15th century. They were among the most respected ships in those times.
In the second half of the 14thc. Dubrovnik developed into an important maritime and trading centre. The maritime trade of the Republic of Dubrovnik experienced its peak during the 15th and the 16th century. Along with maritime trade and navy, Dubrovnik becomes recognized for its shipbuilding, becoming among the most powerful in the world.
The carracks appeared at the beginning of the 14thc. in Venice, while almost at the same time, the construction also began in Dubrovnik. In addition to transporting expensive cargo, carracks were also armed with up to 40 cannons, for defence against pirates. By the end of the 16thc., carracks building came to perfection, enabling the transport of up to 1,000 soldiers and 900 tons of cargo. The carrack sailed the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, and could last for 40 years.
In the 17th c., followed by the great earthquake in 1667, the Dubrovnik Republic was hit by severe economic crises. At the same time, by the end of the 17thc., carracks gave way to large sailing ships for transoceanic voyage.
In “The Merchant of Venice” and “The Taming of the Shrew”, Shakespeare mentions the word “argosy”, which depicts Dubrovnik carrack (“argosy” comes from Ragusa – Dubrovnik).
Our Cabinet of Curiosities holds a model of the Dubrovnik carrack from the 15th century.