My trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia in 2013 – part 2
Following my arrest upon my arrival, I set about to enjoy the rest of my two week holiday in Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik is on the coast of Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. It is a popular tourist destination on the coast of Croatia and is popular with day trippers from docking cruise ships. In 1979 the walled city of Dubrovnik joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
My first attraction that I was going to visit was the City Walls. It cost 90 Kuna (almost £12) to walk the walls.
The City Walls walk is a good introduction to Dubrovnik as you will have the chance to see some of the city’s monuments.
The length of the walls walk is 2km, but with my active military training I was fit enough to do this walk. It is best to do this walk either early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday sun.
Many tourists here fresh off the cruise ships.
This is a very popular tourist attraction and is very busy. The authorities make people walk anti-clockwise to avoid people congestion.
Onofrio’s Great Fountain near the Pile Gate.
Onofrio’s Great and Small Fountains were built by Neapolitan architect Onofrio della Cava as part of Dubrovnik’s water supply system.
Onofrio’s Great Fountain is located at the very entrance to Dubrovnik (by the Pile Gate), while the Small Fountain stands at the eastern end of the city.
The fortifications of Dubrovnik.
The walls are considered to be amongst the great fortification systems of the Middle Ages.
Looking across to St. Lawrence Fortress.
Heading towards the seaward side of the City walls, you will see St. Lawrence Fortress which emerges from the cliff 37m high.
I got to see lots from high up on the walls.
The walk is very hard going in the heat so bring plenty of drinks.
Almost half way.
It is a very tiring walk as there is little shade from the sun.
The fortifications of the old town.
The walls are reinforced by three circular and fourteen quadrangular towers, five bastions (bulwarks), two angular fortifications and the large St. John’s Fortress.
The red top roofs of the old town.
The Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995 between Croat forces loyal to the government of Croatia which had declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Serb controlled Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat operations in Croatia by 1992. In Croatia, the war is primarily referred to as the Homeland War.
Dubrovnik became under seige from Serb forces in October 1991 and the first bombardment of Dubrovnik culminated on 6th December of that year. The seige lasted for nine months of which many houses within the old town became damaged or destroyed. 88 civilians were killed. Nowadays, the old town had been rebuilt and the roof tops of the house are new.
Laundry underwear on the city walls walk.
Walking the length of walls, one get to see inside people back gardens! Hanging laundry is everywhere.
Looking into the harbour.
Going further you will reach St John’s Fortress standing proudly at the entrance to the Old Town Harbour.
Dubrovnik harbour.
The harbour is full of tourists boat tours.
This cannon overlooks the harbour.
The harbour is now popular with sea-front cafes and ice cream shops.
Looking over the houses of the old town.
As a result of the post 1991-95 war reconstruction, many of the roof tops in the old town are new and very brightly red in colour.
Finally we reach the northernmost point of the walls – Minčeta Tower.
Near the end of my walk is Minčeta Tower.
The tower was near the end of the walk.
I was near the end of my 2km walls walk.
It took me two hours to do the walk with all the sights and I have short legs!
I was exhausted at the end of my walk, so I went down to the main street of the old town – the Stradun. The limestone-paved pedestrian street runs some 300 metres through the Old Town.
I got myself a ice cream for 10 Kuna (about £1.20). In Dubrovnik, ice cream comes on one size – VERY BIG! They fill the cone with as much ice cream as possible before gravity becomes the issue.
To be continued….
For more information about Croatia please visit:
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