Senior Sailor Says:
I watch as a monk feeds a frantic group of pigeons vying for the next bit of bread near a monastery. I am surrounded by centuries-old stone buildings as I follow a local guide further into the Old City of Dubrovnik.
It is enchanting. There are a fair number of tourists on the streets, but, as a merchant would later tell me, the shoulder season is the best time to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 7th century in southern Dalmatia, Croatia, by the Adriatic Sea.
Indeed. It’s autumn; off-season for Viking Ocean Cruises’ “Empires of the Mediterranean.” It’s a mild day, and there aren’t a lot of people clamoring to see one of the world’s most beautifully preserved medieval cities.
In 1991, during the Croatian War of Independence, the Yugoslav People’s Army besieged Dubrovnik for seven months and the city suffered significant damage from shelling.
After undergoing repair and restoration works in the 1990s and early 2000s, “The Queen of Adriatic” has re-emerged as one of the Mediterranean’s top tourist destinations.
Besides its charm and mystery, many tourists flock here because it was a filming location of Game of Thrones. Dubrovnik served as King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms.
St. Dominika Street is a narrow passage lined with stone houses and white staircases. It was used for several memorable scenes, including the killing of King Robert’s illegitimate sons by Queen Cersei’s orders – and most famously, Cersei’s Walk of Shame.
It doesn’t take long to fall in love with this fairytale city, whatever the reason.
We pass the Sponza Palace, the Baroque Church of St. Blaise and the 15th-century Onofrio’s Fountain.
All the centuries-old buildings, history, and lore are surrounded by a towering medieval wall. Inside, the ancient city’s Stradun is lined with stone houses.
There are many enchanting sites, including the Arboretum Trsteno, the oldest arboretum in the world, dating back to before 1492. Also, the third-oldest European pharmacy and the oldest still in operation. It was founded in 1317 and is at the Franciscan monastery.
For anyone who appreciates history, especially the medieval period, the Old City of Dubrovnik is a destination you will want to experience.
For more information about this cruise and other excellent ocean, river, and expedition cruises, click here.
A tantalizing destination!!
I’d love to go back!