The Pearl of the Adriatic

 

Located on the southern coast of Croatia, Dubrovnik, or as it’s often called, the Pearl of the Adriatic, abuts the Adriatic Sea. Known for its spectacular architecture, eventful history and cultural heritage, Dubrovnik's old town is a UNESCO world heritage site what with ancient city walls and all rendering it a hive of tourist activity in Europe. Dubrovnik's old town boasts narrow alleys, churches and palaces and houses a great many historic landmarks. The city is known for its achingly beautiful beaches and offshore islands. The city well and truly arrived on the world scene as a popular location for filming owing to the popular television series Game of Thrones, with a number of sequences for the fictional city of King’s Landing shot in Dubrovnik.

The old city walls of Dubrovnik, built in the 10th century, are perhaps its most famous landmarks. They were used to protect the city from invaders. The main street, Stradun, originally a water body dividing the Roman city of Ragusa into two, came to be a central thoroughfare when, in the 13th century, the waterway was dammed up and paved. Notable landmarks flanking Stradun include the Bell Tower, Onofrio's Fountain, the Church of Saint Blaise and the Sponza Palace. The city gates of Dubrovnik are tritely but very rightly the main points of entry into the city. Their role in its defense and overall strategy cannot be overemphasized. There are three main gates in Dubrovnik: Pile Gate, Ploče Gate and Buza Gate. Buza Gate, which goes by the moniker “the hole in the wall,” is the smallest of the three and leads to a hidden beach. Each city gate of Dubrovnik has its own backstory. Fort Lovrijenac is an 11th century cliff-hugging fortress located just outside the western walls of the old city, overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Purposed with protecting the city from attack, the fortress never fell to external aggression.

Minceta Tower, an early-15^th-century fortified tower in the northwestern corner of the city walls, was built purportedly to be the highest point on the city walls. Its role was to serve as a deterrent when faced with an attack. The Dubrovnik cable car is an all-time favorite with tourists from far afield. The cable car system accords a stunning 4-minute ride from near the old town to the peak of a 405-meter mountain. The Franciscan Church and Monastery is a historic 14^th-century site. The monastery is home to a serene cloister garden and an apothecary known for its herbal remedies. Rector's Palace is located in Dubrovnik's old town. Now a museum, the palace building is open for visitors to explore the rooms, atrium, staircase and chapel. Banya Beach is popular, offering breathtaking views of the city walls and the Adriatic Sea. It is a popular destination among tourists and locals alike, given its pebble beach that fits the Mediterranean climate perfectly. Lokrum Island is a small offshore island of Dubrovnik. A main attraction of this popular island destination for day trips is the Lokrum nature reserve, with verdant foliage, nature trails and a botanical garden.

Author Name
Sarang Chari