Dubrovnik, Croatia
Today ranks as one of those especially memorable experiences. Just before the sun peaked its head above the high limestone ridge shadowing the city, the National Geographic Endeavour anchored off the old settlement of Dubrovnik, one of Croatia's cultural and architectural gems. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is corralled by an impressive intact medieval wall which has a number of stout fortified towers and castles. As we made our way in to the old harbor we passed the statue of St. Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik, standing in it's niche high up on the approach wall. Time was spent walking on the ramparts. From this vantage point we had commanding vistas of the enclosed city and surrounds. We strolled along about a third of the mile and a half long circuit. This entire settlement had to be completely rebuilt following the siege and bombings in 1991 which saw horrific loss of life and huge structural damage done to the ancient architectural fabric. Thankfully, the city is now once again thriving economically and its population look very positively to a bright and safe future. Atop the walls the roofs of the houses and other buildings below looked like a veritable sea of terracotta. Back down on street level we visited Dubrovnik's Franciscan Monastery with its magnificent intact medieval cloister and the oldest operating pharmacy in all of Europe which was established in 1317. Before lunch we also took the opportunity to visit the Cathedral and Rector's Palace on the main square.
The afternoon was spent relaxing on board or on shore perusing the many top quality shops or sampling the local food specialties. The highlight of the day was a musical performance in the cloister of the Dominican Monastery by a small group of singers who delivered a number of traditional songs at six in the evening. This style of singing is known as 'Klapa' and originally meant a group of men who sang serenades to their sweethearts in the hot summer nights and is distinctive of Dalmatia. This was an incredibly moving experience as the cadence of the singers’voices, richly laden with emotion, reverberated along the ancient prayer path.
Today ranks as one of those especially memorable experiences. Just before the sun peaked its head above the high limestone ridge shadowing the city, the National Geographic Endeavour anchored off the old settlement of Dubrovnik, one of Croatia's cultural and architectural gems. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is corralled by an impressive intact medieval wall which has a number of stout fortified towers and castles. As we made our way in to the old harbor we passed the statue of St. Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik, standing in it's niche high up on the approach wall. Time was spent walking on the ramparts. From this vantage point we had commanding vistas of the enclosed city and surrounds. We strolled along about a third of the mile and a half long circuit. This entire settlement had to be completely rebuilt following the siege and bombings in 1991 which saw horrific loss of life and huge structural damage done to the ancient architectural fabric. Thankfully, the city is now once again thriving economically and its population look very positively to a bright and safe future. Atop the walls the roofs of the houses and other buildings below looked like a veritable sea of terracotta. Back down on street level we visited Dubrovnik's Franciscan Monastery with its magnificent intact medieval cloister and the oldest operating pharmacy in all of Europe which was established in 1317. Before lunch we also took the opportunity to visit the Cathedral and Rector's Palace on the main square.
The afternoon was spent relaxing on board or on shore perusing the many top quality shops or sampling the local food specialties. The highlight of the day was a musical performance in the cloister of the Dominican Monastery by a small group of singers who delivered a number of traditional songs at six in the evening. This style of singing is known as 'Klapa' and originally meant a group of men who sang serenades to their sweethearts in the hot summer nights and is distinctive of Dalmatia. This was an incredibly moving experience as the cadence of the singers’voices, richly laden with emotion, reverberated along the ancient prayer path.
