Another day started with a walking tour. On this tour we climbed the ancient city's walls that hang on the edge of cliffs, walked through narrow streets, explored the harbor and walked through an old municipal building. We also learned a lot about the old and recent, complicated history of Dubrovnik.
The city walls were built to protect the city from Ottomans and Mingals. As the Ottomans were becoming more powerful and conquering lands and cultures, they were on their way to Dubrovnik. The governing body of the city decided to pay the Ottomans yearly instead of having them invade. The result worked out well because Dubrovnik become an important connection between Asia and Europe because both the Roman and Ottoman Empires were in conflict with one another.
More recently, Croatia is a part of the complex story of Yugoslavia. After WWII, the formation of socialist and communist Yugoslavia was created. Uniting Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Many people consider this to be a civil war, however, our guide said this was a war for independence. Croatia left Yugoslavia in 1992 and it was completely dissolved in 2006 when Montenegro left leaving only Serbia.
During Croatia's fight for independence Serbian armies attacked Dubrovnik, destroying part of the walls and old buildings for the first time in history. Before that it had only been damaged by earthquakes which has left evidence throughout the city.
The last stop on our tour was the original pharmacy located within the walls of a Roman Catholic Church. Here they also had an amazing collection of books, jewelry, tools and clothing from ancient times. All of this is located in a sweet courtyard garden with double columns and unique capitals.
For lunch we got some delicious street food and ate it on the front steps of the main square. After, we headed to Sveti Jakov Beach located one mile east of the city. This beach has an amazing view of the walls and has blue water. The only access was by a couple hundred steps, but it was well worth it!
Again, the day ended back at the hotel beach with a beautiful sunset and beers.
It was a great day!
Total mileage: 8.3
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