A Brief History of Dubrovnik
Having never visited Eastern Europe before, I had no idea what to expect from Dubrovnik, Croatia, where I stopped briefly during a week-long Mediterranean cruise. However, during my short time there, it was easy to see why it’s known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”
Dubrovnik, a city of just over 42,000 inhabitants, sits on the Adriatic Sea and was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Its origins date back to the 7th century, with stints under Austrian rule, Nazi occupation and challenges to its Croatian ownership during the break-up of Yugoslavia in the early nineties.
Emerging from Conflict
When I arrived in mid-November, I was greeted by sunshine glistening on the Adriatic Sea as my tour bus descended from the cliffs above it to the heart of the fortified town. Upon setting foot on the smooth cobblestones in the main square, I noticed how the surrounding crescent-shaped hills seemed to embrace the port and the city’s protective city walls. The view from the houses covering the hillside must be amazing.
Given that the majority of the city’s buildings had been damaged by artillery attacks following Croatia’s independence in 1991, the city’s many historical sites have benefitted from UNESCO’s ongoing restoration initiative. Although the some of the city’s walls show scarring from the fighting, the majority of the centuries-old churches, palaces and fountains now look nearly unscathed.
After touring a monastery and watching a group of boys playing football in the square, I wandered through the crowds of fellow tourists as we all basked in the light of the setting sun. Although the tourism industry is alive and well in Dubrovnik, I didn’t feel oppressed by the over-the-top commercialism which plagues similar tourist towns.
Not surprisingly, my favourite part of my short stay in Dubrovnik was sitting in the square overlooking the ancient fort and listened to the waves as they crashed against the rocks below it while writing post cards to family and friends. How beautiful this small city is! I would definitely go back.