CROATIA - Dubrovnik (Old City)

For centuries, Dubrovnik has been an autonomous and neutral state –  until 1808, when Napoleon’s general de Marmont abolished the republic. The former city-republic of Dubrovnik stands on the coast of South Dalmatia. Its ancient city walls in the fifteenth century, surround and protect a wonderfully preserved historic city centre that has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979.

Today I am really excited to visit “the pearl of the Adriatic”.

Banje beach is the closest beach to the walled city of Dubrovnik. There is an entrance fee to the beach and the view of the walled city from here is beautiful.

This is the Pile Gates. It is the entrance gate to the Old Town, on the western side of the walls.

It used to be a wooden drawbridge during the Republican era. Today it’s a stone bridge over a dry moat.

After passing Pile Gates, we entered the Old City.

Right next to the entrance to the City walls, lays the small Church of Holy Saviour.

Big Onofrio’s fountain. This fountain is where the tourists refreshes themselves with cool water.

This church was built right after a horrifying earthquake in 1520. This church was built to please the God and thank the Saviour for sparing the City from any damages in the strong earthquake that struck Dubrovnik.

Stradun is the unofficial name for the main street that joins the two main entrances of the Old Town at Ploce in the east and Pile in the west. The name comes from the Italian name, strada meaning street.

These clay little windows are perfect souveniours.

Walking along the Stradum, some tourists took pictures with parrots in front of a candy shop that’s called Pirate Candy Shop.

Barrels of candies inside the shop.

There are many narrow side lanes on both sides of Stradum.

The city was attacked early in the morning by the Serbian and Montenegrian army on St. Nicholas Day, 6th December 1991. The bombing continued well into 1992. This notice board is to remind people of this attack and the extend of damages done to the city.

Sponza Palace is the home of the archive containing the complete documentation of the Republic of Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik is depicted as King’s Landing in the HBO’s popular TV series, “Games of Throne”. Now Dubrovnik is gathering millions of new fans thanks to GOT. It is not surprising that its merchandise are also sold here.

The Church of St. Blaise is one of the most beautiful Dubrovnik churches built in the honour of its heavenly patron whose 15th century silver guilt statue still remains in the church. A column of a medieval armoured knight holding a sword in his hand, located on Luza Square, in front of the Church of St. Blaise. This column supports a flag-pole that hoist the flag, once from the Republic of Dubrovnik, today the flag of Croatia.

This is the other Onofrio’s fountain that is at the other end of Stradun. So many people filling their water bottle.

This is the Dubrovnik Cathedral. The cathedral was built on the site of several former cathedrals. The cathedral was damaged by at least one shell during the Siege of Dubrovnik.

The interior of the church.

The center painting “Ascension of Mary” by Titan (circa 1550).

The Bell Tower and Roland’s Column in front of the Bell Tower.

Many cruise or boat companies selling tours to nearby Lokrum Island.

The view of city harbour from the other side.

The Franciscan Monastery consist of a monastery, a church, a library and a pharmacy.

Interior of the Franciscan Church.

Inside the Franciscan Monastery, there is also a museum that houses artifacts from the pharmacy, a large collection of musical notations and a treasury of artworks. The oldest pharmacy in the world that has been working since 1317 is also inside the complex.

Colonnade of the cloister.

The Franciscan cloister is one of the most valuable late Romanesque creations on the Croatian shores of the Adriatic.

Jesuit’s Staircase leads to Poljana Square where the Church of St. Ignatius and Jesuit College are located. To GOT fans, this is one of the filming locations in Dubrovnik. It kind of resembles the famous Roman staircase in Piazza di Spagna.

Jesuit’s College building.

Well, it’s time to have late lunch or early dinner after exploring the Old City of Dubrovnik and I found a perfect spot for this.

Having my meal just in front of Jesuit’s Staircase.

The old city is small enough to be able to visit all the sights easily and is a joy to stroll around.

It has been a good day exploring the Old City. Tomorrow I would climb the Walls of Dubrovnik and visit the Lovrijenac Fortress. Stay tuned.