Whatever Happened to Yugoslavia?: Exploring Dubrovnik

6.18.17
Dubrovnik's Old Town (Ragusa)

Amazing day in the Old Town, Dubrovnik's crowning jewel at the country's most southernmost tip and renowned for its medieval walls and historic monuments. This fortress area was the major base for trade between both most of Europe and the Middle East from 1358 to 1808. The wealthy citizens lived in beautiful homes inside these walls, while those who were not well off lived outside the walls in the surrounding countryside. Foreign traders were kept in the quarantine building 40 days. (The word, quarantine, is defined as a period, originally 40 days, of detention or isolation imposed upon ships, people, animals or plants on arrival at a port or place, when suspected of carrying some infectious or contagious disease). This was why the country was never affected by the black plague and other epidemics.

This area was heavily damaged during the breakup of Yugoslavia from 1991-1992 but able to be restored with the help of UNESCO (OAT being a contributor to this restoration of the main promenade, the Placa, through a Grand Circle Foundation donation).

The entry gate to the Old Town.

After we enter the main gate, we see the sculpture of the Roman Catholic saint, St. Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik since 971 A.D. Every February 2nd, the custom of blessing the throats of the faithful developed, with priests holding two tapered candles over the head or the throat while invoking the intercession of St. Blaise against any ailment of the throat and body.For those of you who are not Catholic, St. Blaise is a martyr who, according to legend, while in prison for refusing to renounce his faith, miraculously cured a little boy who was choking to death on a fish bone.

St. Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik,
holding the Old Town Dubrovnik in his left hand.

The Placa, the main promenade, which OAT helped restore.

Our first stop is the 14th century Franciscan Monastery museum, home to one of Europe's oldest pharmacies - complete with ancient instruments and oleander poison. Inside, we also see a beautiful interior courtyard and a variety of relics, minerals and jewels.

The entry to the 14th century Franciscan Monastery's pharmacy museum.

The monastery's inner courtyard and its bell tower in the upper left window.

As we stroll along the Placa we notice some very interesting sculptures, such as Orlando's Column, right in front of St. Blaise's Church. Orlando was a knight who defeated invaders during the Middle Ages and helped Dubrovnik remain a free trade city.

Orlando's Column (1418)

This woman had the most colorful parrots I have ever seen.
She made money photographing tourists posing with a parrot of their choice.

The multiple alleys were packed with restaurants and shops.

More interesting sites...

My winner for best water fountain gargoyle.

My winner for most interactive statue - Marin Drzic (1508-1567),
Croatian playwright and poet.
Rubbing his nose supposedly brings good luck.

Another fantastic gargoyle bas relief!

Winner for most intricate door knocker.

Overall winner for most clever "hand rail"

The highlight of the Old City is the 2 km. walk along the city walls, constructed to protect the city as early as the 7th century, through to the 17th century.

Kodak moments along the Old Town's city walls...