A History lesson around the ancient walls of Dubrovnik…
With time to spare, we took the opportunity to get some history into the girl’s curriculum…. and where better to do this in a city which has had such a rich, varied and tumultuous history…
Dubrovnik Walks (www.dubrovnikwalks.com) offered the best price/package and under the fantastic instructions of our guide (Marco) we headed off to experience the city from the best vantage point on top of the various forts along the city walls. Both girls were fortunate to meet up with their newly found friends from yesterday and it was a pleasure to spend the day again with our Canadian & Irish friends.
Dubrovnik’s port was the key to it’s early rise to prominence, and this led to various suitors trying to gain control of the city… be it the Venetians, Ottomans, Hungarians… they have all had a go…
Yet Dubrovnik has been a city republic, seen times of communism and hardship and recent conflicts that threatened to bring this UNESCO city to it’s knees… yet it has endured! Like any special place, it is due to the people of Dubrovnik and their unwillingness to give in… stoic, hard working people with strong ideas on their sovereignty! Yet to a person, incredibly (and rightfully) proud of their identify as Dubrovnik citizens.
Our girls were regaled with stories of yesteryear… from the plague and the 40 day quarantine periods, to the slants of the walls to protect them from bombardment, to the signing of treaties to broker peace…
Yet perhaps it is best know for its ability to withstand fire…Precariously placed beneath hills, its forts on top of the hill are crucially important yet the cities 6-10m wide walls have been continuously improved upon to ensure it remains safe/secure… yet it has been tested!!! Perhaps none more so than the recent Balkan conflict (1991-2) which saw 2 years of constant bombardment…. perhaps best viewed by the red roof tiles that show the new buildings adorning over 60% of the city… little remained, yet it was preserved!! and it now enjoys financial support from UNESCO to ensure it is preserved for future generations.
the best way to understand the destruction of the Balkan Conflict
Both girls (in fact all the kids) gazed at the amazing city scape, with its ‘Game of Thrones’ hill top fort (the Red Tower) set against the dazzling blue of the sea (helped by the occasional dolphin popping up to play)…
The Minceta Tower, Revelin Fortress stand out as particular favourites yet the city also boasts a working Franciscan monastery, D’Onofrio’s fountain and the Rectors palace…
For the relative cost (but remember you buy a guide and have to pay at the city walls too!!!), it represents a great way to see the city for 2-3hrs… it also allowed us the chance to see where dinner would be!!!
So with the kids tired after yet another busy day, our larger group (of 14!) split up to go their respective ways and we headed into the old town with John/Claire for a fantastic meal at Storia… near to Buza (a place to grab a sun-downer) it sits just outside the Old Port walls.. hard to find but as ever, just off the beaten track gives great value…
Tomorrow promises more fun and frolics… but this time in the sea on a kayak thanks to our new friends at the Dubrovnik Escape Room… Sadly we couldn’t visit this, but our new Croatian friend Bogdan helped us secure the sea kayaking chance… Can’t wait!!!!!
dubrovnik city walls
so where did we park the bus for the night?
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