Dubrovnik, February 2006

The city of Dubrovnik extends west like a thumb into the Adriatic from the steep, rocky wall of the Croatian coast.  Access from the coastal road is via either of two ramps cut into the rock face, one slashing down from the north, the other from the south.  They meet at the narrow base of the thumb, and then divide again going north and south along the waterline.  We headed south a mere two blocks to the Hotel Excelsior, paying only eye-popping off-season rents for a balconied suite on the sea, looking north to the old city bathed in the mid-day sun.  The old city wraps around a popular harbor on the south side (see picture at left) which hosts an active daily fish market and the predictable array of restaurants and cafes with alfresco dining and late night coffees.  This sheltered space offers southern exposure to the sun and walled protection from the steady sea-breezes of the Adriatic coast.

There are two and only two entrances into the walled old city, one each on the north and south.  Each has an imposing towered and fortified stone gate opening to a deep moat originally spanned by wooden draw bridges (see right).  Across the moat awaits another stone tower and more fortified gates.  The moats are dry and grassy now, planted with lemon and orange trees heavy with fruit.  The original drawbridges have been replaced by permanent walking bridges. One enters thru the foot-thick wooden timbered gates into a pleasant cobblestone city of avenues, churches and cafes.   Every sound clatters and rattles in this stony and treeless fortress.

Dubrovnik Old Town looking North from the hotel.

Dubrovnik Old Town from the North looking South

Strolling inside the Fortress Town's walls

An Inner Gate

Panorama looking South

Climb the Steps to Walk the Wall

The north tower fortifications

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