The restored 16th-century summer villa Bunić Kaboga is located in the immediate vicinity of Dubrovnik (Croatia). As a historic house, it reveals the magical atmosphere of Dubrovnik summer villas and their Gardens, the Arcadian settings of Dubrovnik’s former aristocracy and their guests from abroad. Music salons and literary academies, among other events, have been organised in the villa.
As one of the 200 summer villas, built in the city and the outer territory of the former Dubrovnik Republic, it represents a unique example of preserved historical architecture, urban thinking, and socio-cultural environment of historical, natural, and ethnographical significance.
Most of the Dubrovnik summer villas were built during the 15th and 16th centuries. In those times, the territory of Dubrovnik was completely encircled; its borders were secured thanks to skilled diplomatic politics, and life in the outer-city area was completely peaceful.
People from Dubrovnik, mainly rich merchants, seamen, and landowners, chose only the best craftsmen for the construction of city palaces as well as of summer residences.
Villa Bunić Kaboga was built from 1520 to 1540. Like all the other villas in Dubrovnik, it got its name from the first owners; first by the members of the Bona (Bunić) family, and then the Kaboga family succeeded them.
The summer villas of Rijeka dubrovačka have resisted change for centuries. Until recently, the summer villa of Bunić-Kaboga shared the same fate. It was renovated in 2013 thanks to the donation of the Caboga Stiftung Foundation, when it was opened to the public. Cultural programmes, workshops and artistic performances have resided in the villa ever since, managed by the City of Dubrovnik with the support of the Caboga Stiftung. From 2025, it has been managed by Dubrovnik Museums.
The Rest is Music NGO started with their projects in the villa in 2014, basing it on the heritage interpretation. Motivation for the creation of artistic content resulted from the necessity for the “spiritual” revival of the villa, as well as from bringing attention to this specific urban space. Thus, every project devised and produced by The Rest is Music is an artistic intervention in the Villa Bunić Kaboga, making it today a gathering place for the local population and their visitors from abroad.
In terms of typological characteristics, the villa is sited on the coast, and within the boundary wall, it is presented as a two-storey house with a chapel and a boathouse placed perpendicularly to the main building. It has a Renaissance ground floor and a Gothic first floor, with a portico extension on the ground floor and a loggia at first-floor level. With its Gothic trifora flanked on each side by two monoforas, the façade is wide open to the surrounding countryside. On the side wall under the portico is a small wall fountain, ascribed to the local mason Petar Andrijić and his workshop, who probably also did the architectural design. The chapel is placed on the terrace over the portico and at the side of the loggia. It is surmounted by a dome supported by an octagonal tambour.
In the second half of the 19th century, it was linked by garden paths with the neighbouring Villa Stay, which had been acquired by the same owner.
There were numerous changes of ownership in the 20th century; after sweeping renovations were completed in 2013, the Villa Bunić-Kaboga historic house, managed by Dubrovnik Museum, offers a workspace and a concert venue in the central hall of the villa. The central hall is fully equipped with a sound system, projector, beamer, and a grand piano. In the rooms adjacent to the first floor, there is workspace for meetings and individual work. The lavatories and a kitchenette, situated on the second floor, are available for coffee breaks and meals on a delivery basis. The surrounding gardens, as common places to be shared with the Museum staff- curators, will also be open to residents for exploration, leisure, and free time during breaks.
Accommodation for residents will be provided in the Dubrovnik Student Dormitory. Since the dormitory stands out as one of the most modern student accommodations in Croatia, the criteria for choosing this location are manifold. It offers state-of-the-art facilities (reception desk, 249 double rooms and 5 single rooms with bathrooms, kitchenettes, ‘Obied’ student restaurant, joint facilities for learning and socialising, laundrettes, fitness centre, ‘Skatula’ student club, ‘Salocha’ multi-purpose hall, ‘Academia’ restaurant and coffee bar, underground parking). With its exceptional design, the Dormitory is perfectly positioned for the residency programme. At a central location at the heart of the city with short walking distance from the local transportation, the main bus station, the port, and all major cultural institutions, it will ensure that the residents get familiar with the city and its vibrant history. The distance between the accommodation and the residency location is a 10-minute drive by car, and a 15-minute drive by public transportation. 5 rooms in the Student Dormitory are designated for people with physical disabilities, ensuring trained staff and an inclusive environment for all.


