When walking the wall and admiring all there is to see, it is difficult to be mindful that amid the historic sights, there are daily lives being lived within these walls.

Records indicate that prior to the 1667 earthquake there were more than 5,000 residents in Old Town.

This must have been how air was conditioned in days gone by.

Out of 42,615 residents of wider Dubrovnik, only 1,557 are registered as living in the Old Town, 25 per cent fewer than in 2011. A third of them are older than 65. Some 22 per cent are considering moving, according to a recent survey by the Institute for the Restoration of Dubrovnik. Source

Along the wall, partial scenes are revealed through gaps either intentional or by decay. It is easy to imagine diners sitting at the tables below for lunch or dinner.

There are apartments and individual homes beyond this gate.

There was plenty of evidence of daily life as viewed from our elevated perch…

as well as reminders of the old days and what might have been.

In contrast, more contemporary neighborhoods have developed outside the Old Town. The picture below shows Mt. Srd which looms over this section of Dubrovnik

More modern neighborhood in the background at the base of Mt. Srd

There are reminders of the wall’s intended purpose.

Every once in a while, dramatic scenes add a punctuation mark to the walk and give reason to stop and catch a breath.

The beauty of Old Town from above is often breathtaking.

Bell Tower of the Dominican Monastery

Looking back toward the end of the walk, it is easy to imagine the beauty of what was and to appreciate what still remains.

 
View the first post in the series, Dubrovnik – Croatia – Pearl of the Adriatic

See the next installment of the travelog – Old Town Dubrovnik – The Low Down

Dubrovnik is sometimes referred to as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” There does not seem to be a definitive explanation of how it acquired that moniker except that it has many attributes that are extraordinary.

Truth be told, I didn’t know precisely where Croatia was located other than it was in eastern Europe somewhere, but once I saw a few photographs, I was hooked. It took three years to finally get there due to the pandemic, but I have to admit…it was well worth the wait.

map courtesy of Mapsland star added by JBRish

Our Croatian adventure began in Dubrovnik; recently popularized as a location for portions of the series Game of Thrones. One of the main focal points for tourists visiting Dubrovnik is Old Town. During its early history, the city protected itself against invasion by building large walls around the perimeter. Today, walking “The Wall” is a very popular tourist activity.

The picture below, shows the wall surrounding the Old Town. Of course Dubrovnik is much more than just the walled section, but I would suggest that it should be high on the list of activities to consider.

There are several entrances to Old Town, but the main entrance is located near the Pile Gate and, as design would dictate, perhaps the best stairway to the elevated city wall is located nearby.

Another problem, if it can be called that, is when walking the wall it is hard to stop taking pictures. Every few steps a new scene is revealed that is just as picturesque as the last. Make sure to bring enough digital storage space or film to capture it all.

For those in good health and who walk or hike regularly, the steep sections of the walk and stairs should not be too much of a challenge and the remarkable experience is rewarding.

Elevated on a steep western cliff and visible from various points, Ft. Lovrijenac (Fort St. Lawrence) stands as one of the major landmarks. A visit to the fort is included as part of admission to the Old Town wall. Read more about the fort HERE

The picture below provides some perspective regarding the distance from the city wall to Fort Lovrijenac.

The orange tiled roofs of nearly all of the buildings in Old Town form a colorful backdrop for many of the prominent landmarks such as the Jesuit Church Of St. Ignatius rising above the nearby structures.

For the alert visitor, views along the wall prove themselves postcard-worthy.

As the walkway meanders around the perimeter, there are occasional downward paths that provide a respite from the steps and uphill areas.

From a start at the Pile Gate and coming down the home stretch, the bell tower of the Dominican Monastery and the protected harbor of Old Town come into view.

There is much more to report in following posts about Dubrovnik and the Old Town especially the juxtaposition of views from the wall and the streets of the ancient city.

Read the next installment of the travelog – Old Town Dubrovnik – Above it all –