Dubrovnik 2019 - Stephen H Forsey Photography

Dubrovnik

The ancient walled town of old Dubrovnik is framed by the deep blue waters of the Adriatic Sea to the south and mountain ranges to the north. It is situated on a dramatic stretch of coastline with ports wedged into its bays and tiny islands just a short ferry ride from the old town.

Dubrovnik was an independent merchant republic for 700 years. The town was hit by a significant earthquake in 1667, which killed around 5,000 inhabitants and destroyed much of the city and infra structure, although the city walls remained standing. The town never fully recovered and it wasn’t until 1806 when Napoleon entered the town and met little resistance that by 1808 after Napoleon’s fall, Dubrovnik became part of the Austro Hungarian Empire in 1815.

It wasn’t until after World War 1 that the town became part of Croatia and just after World war 11 became part of Yugoslavia.

IN 1991/1992 Dubrovnik was caught up in a civil war and had to withstand considerable shelling by the Serbs in a siege that lasted over seven months. The old town inside the city walls suffered much damage, though today, other than the ‘new’ bright red roofs of the buildings the town has been restored to its former beauty.

Dubrovnik is packed with lovely sights, such as the Rector’s Palace and the Franciscan Monastery, the ‘main’ street called the Stradun is full of character and charm, as are the narrow side streets, lined with Renaissance town houses and small restaurants.

Today the town is busy, vibrant and buzzing and a very popular resort for the traveller. We visited in June 2019 and noted on our arrival at least four cruise liners berthed in the terminal. There are lots of small restaurants and bistros to cater for every ones tastes and needs. A walk around the city walls is a must as is dining in the Arsenal and Panorama restaurants.

Lots of eastern European visitors were following the ‘Game of Thrones’ trail, which was partially filmed inside the city walls and the small island of Lokrum just off the coast of the old town.

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The island of Lokrum

This lovely little island is just a stone’s throw from the old harbour in Dubrovnik. It is actually just a fifteen – twenty minute boat ride from the old town. Ferries run from 9.00am in the summer months to 7.00pm, every half hour.

The island is covered in lush indigenous and tropical vegetation and is completely undeveloped. It is approximately a mile in length and five hundred metres from the harbour. Today, the main attraction is that part of the film series ‘The Game of Thrones’ was filmed there.

The ferry drops the visitor of at the boat landing, overlooked by the ‘Hunter’s Lodge’ a pink, peach coloured villa, built during Archduke Maximillian’s time. Today the lodge is a visitor’s centre.

The footpath from the boat landing leads you up to the remains of the Benedictine Monastery, founded in the 15th century and was a major seat of learning until its dissolution in 1798. Archduke Maximillian bought it in 1859 and preserved many of its features. Today a small restaurant and café is housed in the elegant cloisters.

It a great place to see and watch Peacocks which roam freely on the island.