Dubrovnik is described as the Pearl of the Adriatic.
I can understand that description.
It truly is very special with its dramatic location at the base of an imposing cliff, crystal clear blue water, and stone walls enclosing the well preserved mediaeval town.
Dubrovnik is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site that we fell in love with.
We started our visit by climbing up the walls and walking around the entire Old Town.
Strategically located in the Adriatic Sea, during the Middle Ages the city had been a major maritime trader.
It was a rival to Venice and they were fierce competitors for the lucrative trade market.
Dubrovnik needed protection, hence, the old town is entirely enclosed by a massive stone wall.
The wall was started in the 13th century and was completed in the 16th century.
Streets are narrow.
And the ones around the edge are steep. When we first went into the old town for dinner we looked down this. A bit intimidating at first sight.
The city doesn't have many full time inhabitants anymore. Permanent residences are replaced with hotels and Airbnb's. Clothes hanging on clothes lines indicate there are probably permanent residents living in the flat.
The main street is called Stradun. It is a pedestrian street closed to traffic. The limestone is shiny from centuries of footsteps.
The main street used to be a moat, outside the original walls, but as the city expanded to incorporate another settlement it became the main street connecting the two villages together. A new wall was built further out.
Architecture styles have changed over the centuries. Dubrovnik has a combination of Gothic and Renaissance architecture.
This is the Palace Sponza. It is a combination of Gothic and Renaissance architecture and is a museum now.
The town needed to be rebuilt and the mayor decreed there were to be no balconies on the new homes.
There is very little green space in the old town. This little green section belongs to the Catholic church.
Because this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there are restrictions on what can be done in the old town.
Specifications start from the ground up to the rooftops.
I couldn't help but wonder how furniture or goods would be moved throughout the town, especially since the streets are incredibly narrow and basically traffic free. Apparently until about 7am delivery vehicles are allowed entry.
I also wondered how furniture and rooftop restaurants would get their goods up. John's eagle eye spotted this hoist to get goods, etc. up.
While we were in Dubrovnik some special friends flew in from London to join us. We spent the morning exploring the old town together.
In the afternoon we went wine tasting.
Many thanks to Jilly and Silvio for joining us and making our visit to Dubrovnik extra special.
The wall was started in the 13th century and was completed in the 16th century.
From our high vantage point on the top of the walls we got another perspective.
Streets are narrow.
And the ones around the edge are steep. When we first went into the old town for dinner we looked down this. A bit intimidating at first sight.
The city doesn't have many full time inhabitants anymore. Permanent residences are replaced with hotels and Airbnb's. Clothes hanging on clothes lines indicate there are probably permanent residents living in the flat.
The main street is called Stradun. It is a pedestrian street closed to traffic. The limestone is shiny from centuries of footsteps.
The main street used to be a moat, outside the original walls, but as the city expanded to incorporate another settlement it became the main street connecting the two villages together. A new wall was built further out.
Now the main street is lined with shops, cafes and restaurants.
Architecture styles have changed over the centuries. Dubrovnik has a combination of Gothic and Renaissance architecture.
This is the Palace Sponza. It is a combination of Gothic and Renaissance architecture and is a museum now.
There are currently very few balconies in Dubrovnik. This is because the major earthquake of 1667 was during Easter celebrations, families had been gathering and many people had been killed by falling balconies.
The town needed to be rebuilt and the mayor decreed there were to be no balconies on the new homes.
There is very little green space in the old town. This little green section belongs to the Catholic church.
Because this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there are restrictions on what can be done in the old town.
I couldn't help but wonder how furniture or goods would be moved throughout the town, especially since the streets are incredibly narrow and basically traffic free. Apparently until about 7am delivery vehicles are allowed entry.
I also wondered how furniture and rooftop restaurants would get their goods up. John's eagle eye spotted this hoist to get goods, etc. up.
In the afternoon we went wine tasting.
Many thanks to Jilly and Silvio for joining us and making our visit to Dubrovnik extra special.
1 comment:
I loved that you could do a complete circle of the town from atop the old walls. Very Cool!
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