Dubrovnik
After an incredible month in Montenegro making new friends and travelling around the country, we boarded a bus and made our way north to Dubrovnik in Croatia. Coming into Dubrovnik, high above the city, allowed for the most breathtaking views of the Adriatic and Old City.
Dubrovnik wasn’t on our places to visit but it was a convenient stop as we continued our journey through Europe. I’m so glad we stopped here because it really is one of the most beautiful cities we’ve visited so far in our travels. We’ve seen many “Old Towns” and Dubrovnik is at the top of the list for beauty, culture and historical sites.
As usual, we went on a walking tour of Old Town with Guru Walks. We enjoy their tours and our guide, Andrea, didn’t disappoint; she was probably the most knowledgeable, articulate, and interesting guide we’ve ever had which is important to us as a tour guide can make or break your experience.
Andrea pointed out the obvious places to tour on our own, including walking the Stradun, the limestone paved walkway; the first pharmacy in the world that remains opens today; Rector’s Palace; Pile Gate - the western gate and the main entrance to the Old City; the Great Onofrio Well built in 1438 which is part of the water main system; the Franciscan Monastery; the Church of St Blaise named after Dubrovnik’s patron saint and lastly The Church wherein lies the aforementioned patron saint’s skull albeit in a jewel-encrusted crown.
Old Town
We also learned that Dubrovnik was founded by the Byzantine’s in the 7th century AD later gaining independence in the 14th century. It was a highly developed city known for its maritime trade and cultural influences and it was a hub between the East and West. It strategically forged diplomatic alliances with many European countries which became crucial in upcoming wars. It was under French reign in the 19th century during the Napoleonic wars and then later Austro-Hungarian rule until finally becoming part of Yugoslavia after World War 1.
The second day, we walked the outside wall of the fortress, over a thousand steps in total. The cost just to walk the walls was €35, so we opted for a City Pass for the same price but it included other attractions and public transportation. Dubrovnik can be quite expensive, so look for these saving strategies during your visit.
From the walls, you see the surrounding islands and expansive Adriatic Sea. These walls were built in the 15th century and extend for almost 2 miles, reach a height of 82 feet in some places and vary in thickness between 6 to 20 feet. The fortified walls have 3 gates, 16 towers and 6 fortresses including the imposing St. Lawrence, all playing a critical role in protecting the city from various invaders throughout history.
St. Lawrence Fortress
Today, the walls are a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized as one of the most preserved fortifications sites in Europe. Unfortunately, this 1979 designation did not save the city from significant damage and destruction during the Croatian War of Independence or Homeland War that took place from 1991 to 1995.
We took to the water over the next couple days exploring the coast from a kayak and a short ferry ride over to Lokrum Island, a nature reserve right off the Old Town. The two minute ferry ride was €27; have I mentioned the high cost of Dubrovnik? It’s a great escape from the crowds of Old Town as you walk along the trails, listen and watch for the peacocks, visit historical monuments and swim in the Adriatic. Apparently, depending upon the time of year, it’s a great spot to catch old town in full sparkle after sunset.
Adriatic Coast
Another location to catch the city at sunset is at the top of Mount Srd near the Imperial Fortress. We took the cable car to the top but you can hike or take a taxi. The fortress was built by the French in 1806 to help defend the north of the Old Town. As mentioned earlier, it became very strategic in ‘91 when Croatian defenders held off the Serbian-Montenegrin army from this very location. Today, there is a Homeland War Exhibition located within the fortress that gives a historical account of those times.
Sunset atop Mt Srd
From the stunning architecture, rich history and the panoramic views of the Adriatic, our visit to Dubrovnik was a terrific experience, and one we would highly recommend to our friends and family.
If you want to see more on our visit to Dubrovnik or our other travel adventures, don’t forget to click on the link below to direct you to our Youtube channel. Enjoy and we’ll see you next time.
Cheers and safe travels!
