the Travel Enthusiast
- 24 Mar
Adam in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTSThe Queen of the Adriatic.
Dubrovnik ©Trish Hartmann/flickr
The Medieval Ragusa holds today the name Dubrovnik.
The motto of Dubrovnik is ” liberty is not for sale not even for all the earths money” , but the locals also approves the words of the modern cynical Bernard Shaw ” The city is the paradise of earth”.
Like a flower, the “pearl of the Adriatic” with its Italian architecture, lies at the edge of the sea, protected by its strong walls. During the Yugoslav wars, the Serbs bombarded Dubrovnik, and people from all around the world highly protested against the destruction of unique monuments. Nowadays the provoking destruction of the war were removed in full thanks to its workers great job and international funding, eventually coming back to its normal state.
The Greeks founded at the nowadays region of Dubrovnik a settlement called Epidaurum. In 614, the Slavs invaded the place, and the locals fled to a a little island filled with cliffs where today is the old town. Books were written about its diplomatic skills of the refugees who, after two centuries, erected a republic, under byzantine suzerainty, along with its former enemies.
Rivals of Venice
Skyline of Dubrovnik’s old town ©Michael Caven/flickr
Around the 10th century, Ragusa the name of Dubrovnik back then, has become a maritime power, who kept its independence because of its able tactics and wealth, even if it was conquered by Venetians, Turks or Hungarians. With its big fleet, the republic was rivaled only by Venice in the 15th century, a period when the wonderful monasteries, churches and palaces were raised.
It was also under temporary rule of Napoleon, aggregated for Austria in 1815, and much later, Dubrovnik became a part of Yugoslavia, and also served as important tourist destination.
Where does the tour of Dubrovnik starts ? Usually with a walk on the long bridges, because, with every pass, the city can be admired. With a long distance of 2 kilometers, it is surrounded by walls, being about 25 meters high and 4-6 meter width. The view of the sea and the roofs are exceptionally beautiful and breathtaking.
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travel search by Travelgrove (get this widget)There are 2 main entrances, the gates of Pile and Ploc, guides you to the pedestrian zone of Dubrovnik, where its heart beats at Stradun or Placa street with its magazine. Here lies the “palaces” of the middle, multicolored shops which are highly wanted. Many cafes can try the very powerful coffee called “kava”. There people may sometimes stop for a talk and to watch the beautiful city square.
Sponza Palace, the town hall and the cathedral are situated near the port. The architectural jewel of the city however is the Rector’s Palace, being a renaissance, The rector was the highest official of the republic. Spiritual heart of the urban is the cathedral of St Blasius dedicated to its patron saint of the city.
The Blessing of St Blasius
Dubrovnik from above ©Dennis Jarvis
A different kind of view meets at the side streets which can be climbed with stairs. The clothes are being stretched in sight, the women are calling their kids, the smell of food comes out from doors. Those who wish to see a true height can climb the hill of St Sergius, standing about 420 meters tall. From here, a splendid view of the Dalmatian coast acquire.
The locals invokes the blessing of St Blasius for the cities ongoing safety, now devised in two parts, the old and modern town. It is said that in the Medieval ages,the saint caught from flying a gunned cannonball and throwed it back to the sea. An exceptional city needs an exceptional protector.
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