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Dubrovnik |
Other opinions
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The wonders of peace
The signs of war are still present in Croatia, even in Dubrovnik, but this precious city is important enough to justify the rush in cleaning and reconstructing. The historic buildings are back to their beauty, and only the new tiles in the roofs remember that, a few years ago, the beast of war almost smashed everything. The colourful roofs are a hymn to peace. |
The site
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It's a tremendous combination, the beauty of the city and its enclosure in a slope, with marvelous bays, and islands, and... You just go and see... |
Once upon a time...
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There was a channel separating two settlements, in the cliffs descending to the sea. One day the channel was filled, and became Dubrovnik main street, also called Placa. Its origins may be the reason for a so wide street in the middle ages, but today that is a blessing. No one can get lost in Dubrovnik in this old channel where, today, it flows not water but... people. Going from main door, in the west, almost to the harbor, at east, this street holds many of Dubrovnik's monuments, and anyway you go, you always leave from it and be back to it. Restaurants, esplanades and the usual tourist shops line it, giving life to this wonder that recovered from an earthquake in 1664 and the war in 1991. But Onofrje fountain keeps being the most romantic place for refreshment.
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Old Port
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St Ivan Built from the 14th to the 16th century, this fortress that protects the port's entrance hosts today the Aquarium, the Ethnographic and the Maritime Museums. We had no time to visit them, which means that... we must return to Dubrovnik! With pleasure! |
Rector's (Sponza) palace
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Leading Building
The Palace of the Dubrovnik's Republic rector it's an interesting building from the 17th century (reconstruction) mixing gothic and Renaissance styles. The best (long) descryption of it may be found in Dubrovnikcity The palace may pass discreetly to most visitors, due to the strong impact of the memorial for the victims of the war in its interior, but, as you wander around, you will end looking more carefully at it, and appreciating it in more detail. 
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Onofrio fountain
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The most useful monument Strategically located, this fountain from the 15th century, is visited by everybody, either to drink its cool water, either to wash face and hands. Sixteen fountains always pouring water brought from a well 20 km distant, welcome the visitors, and make this the most visited monument in Dubrovnik. With justice! Website: http://www.tzdubrovnik.hr/lang/en/get/spomenici/5391/velika_onofrijeva_fontana.html |
The walls - Land side
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The (mandatory) walk on the walls has two different sides: the ocean side and the land side. Most people cover only the ocean side, from where its possible to see the most beautiful points of the city. It's the easiest section with not much to go up and down. But I decided to follow it all, and am not sorry for it. The interior side is harder to walk, with some steep segments, but provide a different look, with some marvelous perspectives. Fortunately (for me, of course!), it was the only way to see signs of the recent war. |
The walls - Ocean Side
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To avoid the long lines, our guide made us enter in the southern entrance to the walls. It may have been a good idea (I don't know how were the things in the other entrance), but we made our way against the normal flow of people, and, in the narrow passages, we had some trouble. |
Lovrijenac fort
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The most exposed Somewhat apart from the wall, this fort stands in a cliff over the sea, reaching 36 meters high. Once a very important fortress resisting to Venice domination, It provides now good views over the city and sea. |
Minceta fort
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Highest point of the walls Located in the north area, in the highest point of the walls, this strong construction, besides its imposing structure, is a good place to photograph the town. Climbing it under the sun is hard, which means less people there than in the lower area of the walls. |
St Spas Church
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We didn't go inside this church, the first as we enter the main gate, but I couldn't miss its beautiful door, and the Dalmatian Renaissance wheel-window. 
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Beaches
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Plat Our beach was a pebble beach, with direct (but confuse) access from the hotel. Nothing special, just... there! After my dreadful experience in Vodice, the swim at dusk was great, anyway. The beach was safe to enter, without any remarkable rock and wide enough to swim in any direction without disturbing the other bathers. It's some kilometers south of town, taking a few minutes by car (or by boat), but fortunately, adjacent to our hotel. |