Croatia, Greece & Italy

After a very quick flight we arrived in Dubrovnik, ready to explore the old town. Of course the first thing you see before even entering Dubrovnik are the Walls of Dubrovnik. The walls have been standing ever since the city was founded, which dates them back to pre-7th century. Built in order to protect the city and its residents from the marauding invaders that plagued the countryside in those days, the walls are especially impressive for the fact that they have never been breached in the course of numerous battles and sieges during the Middle Ages. Running a length of 1,940 meters, the walls practically encircle the entire city and are an impressive sight.

To enter the old town of Dubrovnik where our accommodation is we had to enter through Pile Gate which serves as the main entry point into Dubrovnik. Considered the city's transport hub, the gate was constructed on the western wall in 1537 in order to provide secure entry to the city's defenders fighting against foreign invaders. From the 15th century to this day, access to the gate is via a drawbridge that use to be raised every evening, allowing people to enter Dubrovnik over what was once a moat surrounding the town. It still amazes us that we are standing in places so old and just imagining this town surrounded by a moat is a bit surreal.

Pile Gate has been featured many times on Game of Thrones and it is pretty cool seeing it “for real”.

Entering through the gate we step into the Stadun. Officially known as the Placa, it is the main street of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. With its limestone pavements and beautiful stone buildings it feels like we have stepped back in time. Apparently the material for the buildings was supplied by visitors to Dubrovnik. The entry fee/city tax was a block of stone, and brick by brick the city was built.

As we entered the Stadun we came across a very unique looking fountain that provided water for those that wanted to refill their water bottles and cool down. Built between 1440 and 1442, Onofrio’s Fountain was built by the architect of Dubrovnik’s aqueduct. With its massive dome above, it features sixteen taps around it on a sixteen-sided cupola. Sadly an earthquake in 1667 damaged the fountain resulting in the loss of the statue of a dragon that sat atop of the fountain. I loved the many different faces that the taps came out from.Weiterlesen