Dubrovnik and Dalmacija travel guide
traveling to Dubrovnik and looking for bars, restaurants, history and best things to do in Dalmatia and Dubrovnik traveling to Dubrovnik and looking for bars, restaurants, history and best things to do in Dalmatia and Dubrovnik
Old City Walls, Dubrovnik Dubrovnik’s voluminous city walls, up to 12 m (39 ft) thick and 25 m (82 ft) high in places, are a stunning site. A cradle of stone, they helped to protect one of the most perfectly preserved medieval cities in Europe, as well as safeguarding the independence of the city-state for centuries. Running from the steep cliffs to the north through to the Adriatic in the south, they proved an impenetrable barrier to pirates and potential conquerors, until the keys to the gates were finally handed over to the French on 31 January 1808, and the Republic of Dubrovnik (or Ragusa, to use its former name) came to an end. Top 10 Sights Pile Gate Minta Fort Ploe Gate Revelin Fort Rooftops St John’s Fort Maritime Museum Drinks Counter Bokar Fort Boat Trip Dubrovnik & the Dalmatian Coast Steps up to the track along the top of the walls Buža, perched outside the southern walls overlooking the Adriatic and Lokrum, is a bar well worth seeking out. No food or fancy service here, but refreshing drinks and stunning views. From the Jesuit Church, follow the “cold drinks” sign. Be sure to carry plenty of water in the warmer months, as the only place on the walls where liquid refreshment is available is at the drinks counter on the southern flank. • Map G4 • Access from the Stradun (next to the Pile Gate), Svetog Dominika and Kneza Damjana. Open 9am–6:30pm daily. Adm charge 30kn (audio handsets also available) • Maritime Museum: 020 323 904. Open May–Oct: 9am–6pm daily; Nov–Apr: 9am– 2pm daily. Admission 15kn (children 7kn); discount for groups of more than 10 Pile Gate This grand western entrance to the Old City leads, via a drawbridge, down on to the Stradun. Look out for the figure of Dubrovnik’s patron saint, St Blaise, above the gate and, a little further on, for a more modern depiction by Ivan Meštrovi. Mineta Fort North of the Pile Gate, steep steps lead up to an impressive fort (below). Views at sunset from this 15th-century bastion justify the exertion to reach it. Ploe Gate The bridge leading to the Ploe Gate (above), on the eastern walls, offers new arrivals tantalizing glimpses of the city and the old port. Revelin Fort Close to the eastern walls stands this sturdy 16th-century fortress, now used for music and dance events in summer.
Rooftops The legacy of the 1991–92 siege is evident from the stretch of wall around the old port. From here the contrast between the charming, original roof tiles and the newer replacements, imported from France and Slovenia, is easy to see. St John’s Fort This fortification (right) protected the old port from advancing enemy ships and was, in its time, right at the cutting edge of military technology. Begun in the 14th century, additions were being made well into the 16th century. Pile Gate Bokar Fort This Renaissance fort, designed by Michelozzo Michelozzi, watches over the city’s original port. From here the Lovrijenac fortress is visible across the water. Drinks Counter On the southern flank of the walls there is an unassuming drinks stand with outdoor seating. This is a fine spot to rest on a hot day and admire the hulking fortifications and the island of Lokrum. Boat Trip For a completely different perspective of Dubrovnik’s walls, join a tour boat or hire a local water taxi (both leave from the old port) and skirt around the base of the city (left), where the Adriatic swishes against the rocks and the ramparts soar menacingly upward. Maritime Museum Part of St John’s Fortress is a museum (see p40), that sheds light on the Republic of Ragusa’s rich and eclectic maritime heritage. The exhibits include a large collection of model ships, sepia photographs of the port and historic maps. Libertas Dubrovnik’s daunting city walls are just part of the reason why the Republic of Ragusa enjoyed centuries of independence, at a time when the Venetians and Turks were vying for territory all around the Adriatic. Machiavelli would have applauded the skill of the republic’s negotiators as they played off the various powers against each other, dipping into the city’s bountiful gold reserves when all else failed. The word proudly emblazoned on their flag was Libertas (freedom). Dubrovnik & the Dalmatian Coast
- Page 1: DubrovNIk & THE DALMATIAN CoAST 10
- Page 4 and 5: Contents Left Excursion boat, Cavta
- Page 7 and 8: dubrovnik & The dalmaTian coasT Hig
- Page 9: Trogir Set on its own island, this
- Page 13 and 14: Church of St Saviour The staid Ren
- Page 15 and 16: Left Dubrovnik Painting Middle Ston
- Page 17 and 18: Statues of St Blaise The sculpture
- Page 19 and 20: Bishop’s Palace To the south of
- Page 21 and 22: Church of St John the Baptist This
- Page 23 and 24: Visovac Monastery Founded by Franc
- Page 25 and 26: Belltower The belltower, which soar
- Page 27 and 28: Trg Republike In contrast to the R
- Page 29 and 30: Kornat The largest island in the Na
- Page 31 and 32: Gothic Portal The sculptures of va
- Page 33: Narodni Trg This busy square (abov
- Page 37 and 38: 1808: Napoleon Annexes Republic of
- Page 39 and 40: ibenik above, a rambling fort watch
- Page 41 and 42: pops up throughout the city, but no
- Page 43 and 44: Hermitage of Blaca, Bra This 16th-
- Page 45 and 46: fire in 1995. There are plenty of l
- Page 47 and 48: Tennis National heroes Goran Ivani
- Page 49 and 50: (see pp16-17, 95) and Lastovo (see
- Page 51 and 52: Taverna Rustica, Dubrovnik Part of
- Page 53 and 54: authentic, buy intricate handwoven
- Page 55 and 56: Resort Hotels The swimming pools,
- Page 57: Split Summer Festival Opera, balle
Rooftops<br />
<br />
The legacy of the 1991–92<br />
siege is evident from the stretch<br />
of wall around the old port. From<br />
here the contrast between the<br />
charming, original roof tiles <strong>and</strong> the<br />
<br />
newer replacements, imported from<br />
France <strong>and</strong> Slovenia, is easy to see.<br />
St John’s Fort<br />
This fortification<br />
(right) protected the old<br />
port from advancing<br />
enemy ships <strong>and</strong> was, in<br />
its time, right at the<br />
cutting edge of military<br />
technology. Begun in the<br />
14th century, additions<br />
were being made well<br />
into the 16th century.<br />
Pile Gate<br />
Bokar Fort<br />
This Renaissance<br />
fort, designed by<br />
Michelozzo Michelozzi,<br />
watches over the city’s<br />
original port. From here<br />
the Lovrijenac fortress is<br />
visible across the water.<br />
Drinks Counter<br />
On the southern flank<br />
of the walls there is an<br />
unassuming drinks st<strong>and</strong><br />
with outdoor seating.<br />
This is a fine spot to rest<br />
on a hot day <strong>and</strong> admire<br />
the hulking fortifications<br />
<strong>and</strong> the isl<strong>and</strong> of Lokrum.<br />
Boat Trip<br />
For a completely<br />
different perspective of<br />
<strong>Dubrovnik</strong>’s walls, join a<br />
tour boat or hire a local<br />
water taxi (both<br />
leave from the<br />
old port) <strong>and</strong><br />
skirt around the<br />
base of the city<br />
(left), where the<br />
Adriatic swishes<br />
against the rocks<br />
<strong>and</strong> the ramparts<br />
soar menacingly<br />
upward.<br />
<br />
Maritime Museum<br />
Part of St John’s<br />
Fortress is a museum<br />
(see p40), that sheds<br />
light on the Republic of<br />
Ragusa’s rich <strong>and</strong> eclectic<br />
maritime heritage. The<br />
exhibits include a large<br />
collection of model ships,<br />
sepia photographs of the<br />
port <strong>and</strong> historic maps.<br />
Libertas<br />
<strong>Dubrovnik</strong>’s daunting<br />
city walls are just part<br />
of the reason why the<br />
Republic of Ragusa<br />
enjoyed centuries of<br />
independence, at a time<br />
when the Venetians <strong>and</strong><br />
Turks were vying for<br />
territory all around the<br />
Adriatic. Machiavelli<br />
would have applauded<br />
the skill of the republic’s<br />
negotiators as they<br />
played off the various<br />
powers against each<br />
other, dipping into the<br />
city’s bountiful gold<br />
reserves when all else<br />
failed. The word proudly<br />
emblazoned on their flag<br />
was Libertas (freedom).<br />
<br />
<strong>Dubrovnik</strong> & the Dalmatian Coast
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