August 10, 2011

D is for Dubrovnik

On one of the four days we were "stuck" in Cavtat (see last week's post), my mother and I took a ferry to Dubrovnik, a late medieval walled city in Croatia I had long wished to visit. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, this "Pearl of the Adriatic" on the Dalmatian coast was founded in the 7th century and became an important sea port from the 13th century onwards that once rivaled Venice.

Neither one day nor one post can adequate cover the richness and beauty to see and appreciate in the old walled town. Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries and monuments, with shiny marbled streets and small alleyways, make this a popular tourist destination. 

This is no dead historical tourist trap, however. It's very much a live city where children play and locals go about their business of living. A walk away from the main streets offered charming surprises around every corner.

This is just a brief photo tour to inspire you. [Photos enlarge with a click.]





 



Croatia, 2009

Linking with the community at ABC Wednesday with the letter D.

32 comments:

Live2cherish said...

I like it!!!!

cieldequimper said...

It's been on my to-go list for so long...

joo said...

It is a gorgeous place indeed! I was there as a teenage girl when it was in Yugoslavia (ages ago, lol!)and still remember the beauty of this city!
Thanks for this post:)

DeniseinVA said...

Oh my goodness, what a beautiful city! Thanks Francisca.

jennyfreckles said...

It looks incredibly interesting and beautiful - definitely on my must-see list. Love the photo with the young girl in her communion dress.

Carolyn Ford said...

a beautiful glimpse of a magical place...!!!

Sylvia K said...

What a fascinating, beautiful place and so much history!! I would love to visit there!! Your post and photos are the next best thing, Francisca! Thanks for the tour, the photos and the information. Hope your week is going well! Enjoy!

Sylvia

Jane and Chris said...

I never knew it was so beautiful. Thank you for the armchair trip!
Jane x

Leslie: said...

It does look like a divine place to visit - I always love the architecture of the "old world" cities. Hope you have a wonderful week,

Leslie
abcw team

VioletSky said...

Yep,still dreaming of Croatia. I even like saying the name "Dubrovnik", It rolls of the tongue nicely.

Kathy said...

Excuse me while I go put this place on my itinerary! Your pictures make me want to go there. Now.

James said...

What a beautiful and picturesque place so full of rich history. Your photos are amazing!

I've wanted to go to Dubrovnik for years! I just can't seem to talk my wife into it. I won't give up though. Our next trip will be our first visit to Italy.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

I visited Dubrovnik so many years ago, it seems like a dream. Your photos prove it is.

Rajesh said...

Beautiful historical place. Architecture is amazing.

Andrea said...

Hi Francisca, the areas are awesomely pretty and seem so clean. Those cobbled stones and small alleys remind me of the old city of Lund, Sweden and Copenhagen. But the 2nd photo remind me of Strasbourg, France. Old cities fascinate me no end. How i wish i can visit Croatia too! Sigh!

Anonymous said...

Wow - it looks so full of grace and beauty! Lovely shots.

Chronicles of Illusions said...

This is certainly on my bucket list

Shooting Parrots said...

Like Jenny, I love the photo of the girl in the communion dress. I think it's the juxtaposition of her youth and the age of her surroundings.

jabblog said...

It certainly looks very beautiful - stunning architecture and no crowds!
(I told you in my comments last week that my son and his family are going to Croatia. It turns out that they are going to Cavtat so I sent them the link to your post. They were delighted by it.)

Bhushavali said...

Interesting architechtural beauty...
Smokey Eyes with Lakme
Dhenupurishwarar Temple

EG CameraGirl said...

Wonderful post, Francisca. I have long wished to visit Croatia, espcially Dubrovnik!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

The little girl in her white outfit, is she going to her first Holy Communion?

Right now, on TV, we are watching the fat Gypsy wedding, and they showed the Holy Communion dresses.

I wonder how it is in Philippines?

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

The fake ducks, I don't know if they are made of roots. At first I thought it is one of those door stoppers/cum shoes duster that I had seen in Singapore, probably made in Indonesia, dogs, cats, hedgehogs.

Kay L. Davies said...

Gorgeous photos, as always, Francisca.
We are in St. Petersburg, Russia, and I'm not up to leaving the ship for 5 hours for the Hermitage tour so I'm sending Dick on his own. Going to the ballet tonight, however. I wonder why all ballets performed for tourists are "Swan Lake"? Is it a rule, or a law? LOL
-- K

Carola said...

Really great collection of wonderful shots. Must be a lovely place.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Your pictures are beautiful; it must be an amazing place -- and, again, so cool that you and your mom found such wonderful things to do together -- and that she, like you, is not unhappy when there's a change of plans.

T. Becque said...

THis is so beautiful Francisa! I've seen photos of Dubrovnik before, but these just solidify it for me, I definitely want to go!

Pat Tillett said...

What a great place and beautiful photos. I REALLY like that you were able to people living their lives in the photos.

Linnea said...

Great choice for the letter D! Looks like a wonderful place to visit. I've heard about it but have not been there yet...one day maybe! Thanks for visiting my doggies!

Roger Owen Green said...

an usual, but totally appropriate choice. looks like a nice place.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Unknown said...

Dubrovnick is one of those places in Europe I most wish to visit. I enjoyed this photos very much, Francisca.

Kaori said...

Oh my goodness. Your photos of this beautiful city is so gorgeous...I can't choose which I like the best! It's like you had a photoshoot :D