Discovering The Pearl Of The Adriatic Sea: Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is home to some of Europe’s most stunning architecture and the walled medieval town is becoming one of the hottest travel destinations on the continent. Located on the Adriatic coast in Croatia, the dazzling blue waters add oodles of atmosphere to the fairy tale town.
In 1979 the walled town of Dubrovnik was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site and protected for future generations to enjoy. The old town walls circle almost two kilometers of the city and on the land side of the walls they are up to 6 meters thick and at certain points extend upwards 25 meters. On the sea side, the walls are much thinner. The fortified walls that you can see today around the town were built in the 12th century with renovations occurring up to the 17th century.
From the 12th through to the 17th century, when the city state was debilitated by an earthquake, Dubrovnik traded with Genoa, Pisa, Venice, up into the Balkans and the Ottoman Empire. The Venetians were one of their fiercest rivals and there was constant struggle between the two cities to control trade in the Adriatic.
There are many exciting historical sites to discover from the old town gates and fortresses to the Baroque Church of St. Blaise, the cathedral and the Sponza Palace, which was once used as a mint and is now the city’s archives. The Onofrio Fountain, is a 15th century fountain, which was built as part of the city’s water supply bringing water from the river several kilometers away.
One of the best places to begin your exploration of the town is along the Placa, which is the main thoroughfare in the old town. The stunning cobble stoned streets and its surrounding buildings make it one of the most beautiful streetscapes in the world. Off the Placa, there are many little alleys that are great fun to explore and hide away a treasure trove of history. At night time the Placa and the side streets come to life and burst with nightlife.
Other must see spots in town include the Rector’s Palace, which was the seat of power during the height of the town’s trading power. There is also a Franciscan Monastery from the 13th century, which is home to Europe’s oldest operational pharmacy. At Gunduliceva Poljana, one of the town squares, there is a fun market where you can find souvenirs and local foods to sample.
In the warmer months, it is recommended that you book your accommodation in advance of your arrival. There is plenty of accommodation to choose from in town for all budgets and personal needs. By booking in advance you can be sure that you will have a great location and you can often pick up excellent deals and packages.
If you are planning a trip to Europe, then you should place Dubrovnik squarely at the top of your list. It is a fairy tale town with so much to see and do that you need several days to really do it justice.
This article is telling about accommodation in Croatia. The author is writing about the beauty of Dalmatian coast. Hotels in Dalmatia enable tourists lot of fun and comfort. People are very hospitable there.