2007 Croatia, Dubrovnik & Cavtat
ROHILAS IN EUROPE-VIA
September 27-October 14, 2007

October 6

After lunch-break at Kotor, Montenegro, we continued along the beautiful Dalmatian Coast on our way to Dubrovnik Croatia.




After parts of it being ruled by the Greeks since the 4th century BC, and the Romans since the 2nd century BC, Croatia came to be ruled in 910 AD by Tomislav, the first Croat king.

After the last Croat king died without any heir in 1091, most of the inland Croatia came a part of the Hapsburg Empire. At the demise of the Hapsburgs rule at the end of the World War I, a tumultuous period followed, until Croatia became a part of Yugoslavia.

Following another tumultuous period following the breakup of Yugoslavia, in 1992, Croatia was recognized by the European Union as an independent country. A decade of political and economic isolation followed due to its poor human rights record. Development was marred by rampant corruption, severe unemployment, low wages and high living costs.

Situation has recently begun to improve and more and more foreign tourists have been flocking to its beautiful coastline, and historical sites.

We reached Dubrovnik late in the afternoon. Grand Hotel Park, our hotel in Dubrovnik was situated in a park-like setting near scenic Waterfront dotted with many eating facilities and tourism-related businesses.

October 7

In the morning we set out for a guided tour of the fortified Old Town of Dubrovnik. It turned out be a cloudy, rainy day, not very good for photography.

The old town was built on a small island in the shadow of Mount Srd. In the 12th century the narrow channel separating the island from the mainland was filled in and joined with the neighboring mainland city. In 1918, the two cities together were named Dubrovnik.

Starting in 1358, the city was a powerful independent republic for 550 years. During the Middle Ages, caravans carried on trade between and the Middle East via Istanbul. By 16th century it had become a mercantile power with consulates in about 50 foreign ports. In 1979, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dubrovnik is surrounded by massive Walls, punctuated with towers and gates. Originally built in the 13th century, the walls are 10 to 20 feet wide.

From the mainland, a bridge provides access to the old city’s Pile Gate.

After going down a flight of steps, we entered the city. To the right of the entrance is Onofrio’s Fountain, and to the left is the 14th- century Franciscan Monastery.

The main Avenue (Placa) at one time was a narrow sea channel, which separated the nobility on the left from the commoners living on the right.

At the other end of the avenue is a Clock Tower.

A gate behind the Clock tower leads to the tiny Old Harbor. At one time, from this harbor the city’s merchant fleet of 200 ships sailed to England, Netherlands, and the Mediterranean.

To the left of the Clock Tower is the War Museum (Pomorski Muzej) and to the right is the 18th century baroque Church of St. Blaise (Crkva Svetog Vlaha), the patron saint of the city. Every year, on February 3, his statue is paraded around town.

In front of the Church is the Pillory, which was used to humiliate criminals.

Behind the Church is the Bishop’s Palace, which was originally built in the 15th century. In the days when the city was a Republic, the Great Council and the Senate met here. The Rector, the town’s chief citizen, who was elected for only for a month, lived in the upstairs quarters. Now the building houses the City Museum. Close to the Palace is the Cathedral of Our Lady (Katedrala Velika Gospa), which was rebuilt after the 1667 earthquake. Its treasures include the skull of St. Blaise in the form of a bejeweled crown and his arm and leg encased in decorated gold plating. After lunch, in the afternoon we visited the nearby small fishing village of Cavtat. Under the Greek and the Romans it had the name of Epidaurum.

On the way we passed by the New Dubrovnik Harbor, modern Dubrovnik Bridge designed by Dr. Franjo Tudman and the Port of Gruz.

Upon return to our hotel Kundan and I went out for a walk around the picturesque waterfront.

Later that night, at our dinner table, we forgot, and lost forever, the bottle of spice-mixture, which had helped make our meals tastier for the last many days!