My first glimpse of Dubrovnik from the airport was wonderful. Straddling the coast of the Adriatic, it looked idyllic. Just above the city, the mountains rise. They are in Bosnia. You get a real sense of overwhelm when you see this and recall that Serbia launched 2000 shells on the small city in 1991 and 1992. 68% of the 824 building in the old town were damaged.
Seeing the Old Town at night
After settling in and talking at length with my room mate from Chile, I took the bus to the old town. This is truly remarkable. Picture a castle. The town resembles a castle literally from the outside. There is a moat, draw bridge, towers and incredibly think high walls. Only when Napoleon came did Dubrovnik truly lose its autonomy.
You enter through the low rounded arch. Immediately you are struck by the light. The walls are high and you enter the main street stunned. It is all marble, sidewalks and main street. No cars are allowed. It takes awhile to take in that you are literally walking on marble everywhere. Turn into a narrow lane, it is all marble. Buildings in white stone rise on all sides.
It almost feels like a fantasy. There is no grass, no earth. Its is just all marble!
Tomorrow I will get to see it at length in the daylight. You can climb the wall and walk all along it, visiting the four towers at each corner. Monastery, church, houses, shops, museums all look out on the Adriatic. Wow!
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2 comments:
I wish I could beam myself over to Dubrovnik to join you, Phil. It's one of the most beautiful towns in all of Europe.
Thanks Jim. I would love that. I hope to return within this year. Much more to see and the peopel were terrific. The city is so clean!
Cheers from Essex, England!
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