My Visual Travel Experience: Dubrovnik

I lived in the erstwhile Yugoslavia for 2 years from 1983 to 1985. Belgrade is where we stayed, and my father was then the Indian Ambassador there. Dubrovnik was then a part of Yugoslavia, and was perhaps the country's most beautiful town. We went there on several occasions. Then in 2011, after Yugoslavia had split into several countries and Dubrovnik had become a part of Croatia, I again got a chance to go and spend a couple of days there. I absolutely loved the little fortified old town.

Dubrovnik has a population of just over 40,000 and it lies along the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It is a very popular tourist destination. It dates back to the 7th century AD, when it was established by refugees from Epidaurum, a Greek town that was destroyed in battle. The town flourished because it was on the trade route with the Ottoman Empire, and had its own fleet of over 500 ships.

Dubrovnik suffered a big earthquake in 1667 and a lot of it had to be rebuilt. From 1806 to 1814, it was under Napoleonic rule. After 1814, it came under the Austrian Empire. When the Empire fell apart in 1918, Dubrovnik became a part Yugoslavia. In 1979, the old town was declared a UNESCO world heritage site. After the break-up of Yugoslavia in 1991, the town was besieged by Serbian and Montenegrin soldiers for 7 months, and was extensively damaged by shelling. It was subsequently restored to its former glory. Bullet and mortar walls can still be seen on some of the town's walls. 

Construction of the town's walls commenced in the 10th century. Additions to the walls were made over the next few centuries. The walls encircling Dubrovnik are 1.9 km long and reach a height of 25 meters in some parts. A cable car takes visitors to the summit of a hill, from where one can enjoy spectacular views of the town and the Adriatic Sea ahead. 

View of the Old Town of Dubrovnik

The Cable Car Summit

View of the Church of St Blaise

View of the Cathedral

View of the Old Port and the Dominican Monastery

The Cathedral was built after the 1667 earthquake. Titian’s Assumption dominates the High Altar.  The cathedral also has a treasury, which has over 200 reliquaries, including the arm of St Blaise from the 13th century AD, and a fragment of the cross on which Jesus is said to have been crucified.

The Cathedral

The Church of St Blaise is dedicated to the patron saint of Dubrovnik. The main altar has a 15th century sculpture of the saint, holding a medieval model of the town. The church dates back to the 18th century.

Church of St Blaise

The Church of St Ignacio is a richly decorated church. Though simple from the exterior, it has a plush interior.

Church of St Ignacio

High Altar, Church of St Ignacio

Interior of Dome, Church of St Ignacio

The Franciscan Church dates back to the 14th century, but it was rebuilt after the 1667 earthquake. The monastery has a well known pharmacy, in use since 1317!

Franciscan Church

Interior, Franciscan Church

Courtyard, Franciscan Church

The Dominical Monastery, with its distinct tower, is one of the landmarks of Dubrovnik. Originally built in 1315, it was rebuilt after the 1667 earthquake. The monastery has a church and the Dominican Museum, with works of art by Dubrovnik and Venetian artists.

Dominican Monastery

The Big Fountain of Onofrio, built in the 15th century AD, lies on the square just beyond the Pile Gate. It was used to supply water to the town, drawn from the river Dubrovacka. The original fountain was destroyed in he 1667 earthquake, and the current structure was subsequently built.

Big Fountain of Onofrio,
and the adjacent Franciscan Church

The Square of the Loggia lies at the heart of the old town. The Clock Tower lies at the square, as does the Church of St Blaise. The square is at one end of Stradun, the widest street in the old town - the street is immensely popular with tourists, and is full of restaurant, cafes and shops.

Clock Tower, Square of the Loggia

Church of St Blaise, Square of the Loggia

The main entrance into the old town is from the Pile Gate. There is a 16th century stone bridge leading to the gate. There used to be a moat under the bridge.

Pile Gate

The Ploce Gate is the other main gate into the old town, and dates back to the 14th century.

Ploce Gate

The Minceta Tower is the most popular of the town’s defensive structures. It offers very good views from its high vantage point. The tower dates back o the 15th century AD.

Minceta Tower

View of the Old Town from the Walls -
the Cathedral, the Clock Tower and the Church of St Blaise

The Old Port is a popular place. There are numerous boat rides that take tourists on short pleasure trips along the Adriatic Sea.

The Old Port

The Maritime Museum is housed inside the Fort of St John, near the Old Port. The seafaring history of the town is displayed there through model ships and portraits.

Maritime Museum

Besides the Maritime Museum, the Fort of St John also houses an Aquarium, with a fine collection of exotic sea life from the Adriatic Sea.

Tortoise, Aquarium

Scorpion Fish, Aquarium

The old town centre within the walls is pedestrianized. Be prepared to walk quite extensively, though it's not a large town. I spent hours walking around, admiring the striking architecture, visiting the stunning churches, gazing at the deep blue Adriatic Sea, and enjoying my meals at some of the road side cafes and restaurants. Two days were adequate to explore Dubrovnik at a leisurely pace. This is one little town I strongly recommend!