Dubrovnik, Croatia
Chensiyuan
Edit by: Bammesk, 1 dubrovnik pano - edit1, CC BY-SA 4.0
Go over the drawbridge and enter the ancient city of Dubrovnik.
Walk the wall for ever changing views!
Do you see the small inlet in the upper left of the lead photo? That is where the cruise ship port is located. The view from the ship's balcony is a modern bridge and a wharf for tour busses, the shuttle to the old city, and a large warehouse. In the afternoon local crafts and small businesses set up tables and displays.
Walking the Old City
Dubrovnik was a trading town from the 600's and the walls were built by the 1500. It has been partly destroyed by an earthquake in 1667 and recently in 1991-92 during Croatia's bid for independence, when it was bombed.
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Dubrovnik is one of Europe's best preserved and most popular walled cities. As you cross the drawbridge and enter the old town, what you will see first is the large fountain with 16 taps around the base for people to draw water and a dome reservoir.
As you enter the main street, what may strike you first is the sparkling cleanliness. The wide main street shines and not even a tiny piece of dust can be seen. The streets not only look washed, but polished as well.
Dubrovnik is a popular tourist town. The last time I visited was in mid-November, so the town was almost empty of tourists. The picture beside is not what it looks like in summer!
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Along the main street are little shops and restaurants. From this wide street are many small streets with stores and homes - often these have stairs, as the back of the town reaches up the hill.
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Below are some of these small streets off this main thorougfare. As it was mid-November there were some Christmas decorations.
The major buildings are towards the south end of the main street. On your right is the Church of St. Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik. There was a small market out in front during our visit in November. The bell tower is not attached to the church, but across the street - the tower you see as you walk down the main street.
To go to the Catholic Cathedral, turn right just past St. Blaise and walk a shord distance. Walk around the Cathedral and enjoy little cafes and tiny passages that are really interesting.
Back on the main street, across the street from St. Blaise Church, there is an older building that is interesting.
The first is the Rector’s Palace. It was built in the Gothic-Renaissance style with elaborate wood carvings. This is now a museum, and worth your while to explore if you have time
You are at the end of the main street and beside the Rector's Palace. There is a archway beside the bell tower. Go through the arch, around to a opening on your right that leads to the harbour. On either side are restaurants.
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Go back into the stone passage and continue to find the stone stairway to one of the two entrances to the city wall.
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Walking the City Wall
There are two ways to access the wall of the city. The main one is is by the city gate and the second at the far end of the main street near the harbour.
Walking the wall is great! The views are wonderful, the walking is fairly easy and enjoyable. I prefer to walk from the main gate and they go towards the sea first, but it is your choice. The following pictures show a few of the scenes on the wall walk.
Go on the Gondola
One activity in Dubrovnik that you may enjoy is the gondola ride, especially on a clear day. The entrance to the gondola is just one block above the city wall and about even with the harbour. You will get a marvelous view of the walled city and the surrounding area. Beyond the city is the blue Adriatic and the nearby islands.
There is a snack bar and restaurant, and outdoors there are a number of viewing areas.
