Our view of the walled 'Old City' of Dubrovnik from our bus arriving from Herceg Novi. About an hour drive, through two check point borders, and approximately 25 euros return.
It is a 13th century settlement. The ramparts were built in the 14th-15th century that surround this incredible red roofed Old Town.
The photo below was taken in 2006 on our first trip to Dubrovnik....a bit blurry but still us.
My own opinion, it's a must to walk the Ramparts if you physically can. The views cannot be explained...they are amazing. With that done, Dubrovnik is a slow paced, cappuccino drinking, hour lunch eating and meandering of the narrow alleys....sort of Old Town.
The Pile Gate. The main entrance into the Old City.
Feels and looks like a castle. Very well preserved and cared for.
The city bus from the port bus station stops right in front of this gate making it easy to reach.
(Bus 1A, 1B, 1C or 3 will get you there. Choose the same for your return. 15 kuna Croatian money paid to the driver, or 12 kuna per ticket from the cigarette kiosk at the bus station).
The charm of Dubrovnik is these little cafes and restaurants tucked in tiny alleys at the base of huge steep stairways.
Beautiful and elaborate decorative statues on the Franciscan Monastery.
Another cafe, but looking up, it continues and you can see other tables that are set for more cafes. Sometimes there are only one or two tables.....love it.
The first thing you see when you come through the Gate is this medieval fountain.
During the siege of Dubrovnik during the Yugoslavia wars, this was a life saviour. Water comes from quite far away, seven miles, so they were able to obtain this during that time.
The Stradun.....main street. Before it was a settlement, in the 7th century this street was actually a canal.
Quite a view in person.
Above looking back at the Pile Gate entrance and below heading down the main street into the Old Town.
Meandering the alley ways. We found many tiny shops for buying souvenirs and quaint little cafes that appear around corners and tucked in small alcoves.
Two wee tables make this cafe/restaurant very appealing.
St. Ignatius Church.
The oldest bell in Dubrovnik is located here....made in 1355.
This church is the result of many years of planning the building and foundation of a Jesuit order including a college.
Can't get enough of these cute cafes.
This restaurant serves Bosnian dishes....wish we hadn't eaten already.
A surprising piazza, Gundulic Square, just off the main street without many tourists.
Feel free to go off on an adventure and head down any side street. Turn right, turn left, just keep going. The charm is not necessarily on the Stradun. It's in the back alleys where there are surprises around every corner.
Don't worry, you can't get lost.
Not a single tourist in this view....
The 12th century Cathedral in the background has a very interesting history. Financed by King Richard the Lionheart (oh ya...Robin Hood legend) it was built with his gratitude for surviving a shipwreck on a near island.
Unfortunately the original was destroyed by the 1667 earthquake, but it was rebuilt.
Below is the view from the ramparts of the same Cathedral.
The tallest one....makes an impressive cityscape.
A view from the City Hall of Gratska Kafana where we enjoyed a delicious lunch on our visit last week.
Grilled squid...I count 3 times I've enjoyed this dish.
Deb 'jonesing' for a hamburger.....finally had it and said it was really good.
(Below) St. Blaise's Church, dedicated to the saint of the same name.
The legend goes, a millennium ago, that Saint Blaise predicted that there would be an attack by the Venetians, in a dream, to a priest.
So they prepared for the attack and St. Blaise became the symbol of Dubrovnik.
(Above). Statues of him are everywhere in the city with the city of Dubrovnik in his hand.
It is quite an impressive building in the heart of the popular piazza.
The prominent Bell Tower dominates the Luza Square.
Built in the 15th century, it is also referred to as the Clock Tower.
A closer look of the two bronze twins, Maro and Baro, who literally strike the bell in the Bell Tower.
Hour long lunches....I'm serious....can you pick a more perfect day.
Or if we don't want everyone trying to get our autographs (famous Canadians) we can quietly and privately enjoy delicious Croatian cuisine here.
Heading out to catch our bus....
The drawbridge back to the real world....because it feels like you step back in time in the Old City of Dubrovnik.....can't put my finger on it.....it's an atmosphere and to experience it....you will have to visit.
More to come in the following posts......of this incredible day.
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