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There's Something Old and Something New In Dubrovnik
(March 2001)
Croatia may be a newly-formed country, but
it has an old soul and a strong sense of national pride. Although
it’s been rebuilding itself after recent disasters and is
rejuvenating its culture, it still retains its old world charm. The
crown jewel and biggest tourist attraction of Croatia is Dubrovnik,
a medieval-walled enclave on the shores of the Dalmatian Coast. Lord
Byron called it the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”
Part of the
reason this “pearl” is so appealing is because it has been able to
maintain its aesthetic appeal despite hundreds of years of conflict.
When I told people I was going to Dubrovnik, they assumed I was
going to a bombed-out location not offering much beauty. I was truly
impressed with this city’s character and how the wars have affected
it and its people, who show strength in their eagerness to transform
the remnants of past tragedy into an intriguing destination
today.
Wars and Rising From the Ashes
Looking
at this vibrant city today, it seems unimaginable that anyone would
ever have wanted to bomb it. In 1991 and 1992, the old town was
surrounded, blockaded, and heavily shelled by Yugoslavian, Serbian,
and Montenegrin armies. More than 500 historic buildings were
damaged—70 percent of all roofs were hit—and nine palaces were
gutted by fire. A map on the wall inside the eastern Pile Gate,
which serves as a testament to Croatian willpower, exhibits the
“damage caused by the aggression on Dubrovnik” during 1991 and 1992.
With dots, squares, and triangles, it traces the impact of over
2,000 shells that killed more than 300 people.
Despite the
wars and even destruction by fire and earthquakes (the last in
1979), this city has been successful at rebuilding itself. When I
visited, there were no gaping holes, piles of rubble, or burned-out
buildings. One obvious improvement, though, were the new terracotta
roofs standing out against the weathered color of the
old.
What to See
 Dubrovnik, viewed from the cliffs above, looks
like a fairytale land characterized by a 500-year-old fortress that
seems to rise from out of the sea. Within the fortress is the old
town constructed of stone houses, whitewashed churches, monasteries,
and palaces that are all nestled inside a weathered limestone wall.
The walls were built between the 14th and 16th centuries, and along
with its ramparts, extend some 6,364 feet in length and are 80 feet
tall and 20 feet thick. It is considered to be one of the
best-preserved medieval structures in the world and is listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
 There are spectacular views of the sea and
surrounding mountains, which you can see as you wander up the stairs
and around corners of the city. The one thing you must do is walk on
the top of the wall and ramparts—it only takes a little over an hour
and costs 20 Kuna ($1.00). Up there you can catch a glimpse of the
way the 4,000 residents live. One note of caution: we started our
walk around the wall late in the afternoon, which, unknown to us,
was shortly before closing. My husband stayed later and then found
himself locked in. Because there were no guards around to open the
12-foot gate, he was forced to climb up and over it!
The
City Today
 This is very much a lived-in city where children
chase pigeons in the promenades as men work in the streets. Look all
around, and you’ll see laundry neatly pinned to lines, and you can
smell the wood fires burning in homes.
The city has a sense
of timelessness. City streets are very narrow (cars and motorcycles
are banned) and open onto great stone plazas six centuries old. Many
buildings, including an elaborate 18th century cathedral, look like
larger-than-life wedding cake decorations. This old charm provides a
dramatic backdrop to the numerous shops and cafes that line the
streets.
Although the old town remains unspoiled, it doesn’t
shut out modernized culture entirely. Croatians, especially the
young, are very much abreast of Western European fashion and
culture. Hints of chic fashions, hip coffeehouses, and current music
are evident everywhere.
The People
The general
atmosphere in Dubrovnik is laid-back, and the locals are very
courteous. Dubrovnikers are used to various nationalities coming to
visit, and both English and German are widely spoken. One thing to
remember: no matter what language you speak, do not mention the
recent war too much. The Croatians have gracefully risen above their
national trauma and wholeheartedly believe that the war is over.
When I told a store clerk that I was writing about her city, she
implored me to not talk about it. She said, “Tell people to come
here. We are over the war. We have so much to offer.” Indeed, the
rejuvenated city of Dubrovnik is alive again and awaiting your
visit.
Explore Dubrovnik further:
City of Dubrovnik Tourist Board: Official website
for the town.
Eastern Europe for Visitors at About.com: Guide
Bill Biega has great links and articles on Croatia.
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