In The Heart Of The Town, Just Inside The Marina, The Sponza Palace Pays Tribute To The Dozens Of Local Boys Who Paid The Ultimate Sacrifice Protecting Their City.
Like a phoenix Dubrovnik, the Athens of the Adriatic, has risen from virtual eradication after Slobodan Milosovic’s Serbian military devastated the town in 1991. 70 % of the homes were damaged from the bombing. Even the traditional wall that surrounds the old town was pounded by the tank shelling. Yet today Dubrovnik is a tourist destination. The old town has been reconstructed. First-class hotels are a feature of the hillside. This precious stone of a city is a living memorial to human resiliency.
In the center of the town, just inside the pier, the Sponza Palace pays tribute to the handfuls of local boys who paid the final sacrifice defending their town. But twenty years ago appears like the distant past. Now pizza and ice cream stands abound. The orange roofs of yesteryear have been replaced. Travellers from Japan, Israel, Germany and China fill the main street. And the smoke of fried fish are pervasive.
Dubrovnik is Croatia’s hydra-headed metropolis. It has been wrecked by going to militaries and earthquakes and yet it survives, guarded by the traditional parable of Saint Blaise, who promised to defeat Ragusa’s (the original name of Dubrovnik) enemies. In the past, this town was a center for students, artists and teachers. It appeared to be an ecumenical community different to other settlements in the area. As a commercial center, it captured the interest of Venetian leaders who led attacks for centuries against their adversaries in the south Adriatic.
The 1.6-mile wall surrounding the town is an imposing architectural wonder. For elderly travellers it is also a stress test. There are 335 steps going up and around this barrier. It is not the Great Wall of China, nor is it a walk in the park. Along the way are forts and historic monuments to a past that gives the present meaning. Looking down one finds roofs being fixed, a sea glittering with small vessels and enclosed basketball courts. The Croats are basketball funny.
One or two years back Don Rumsfeld, former secretary of defense, made reference to the two Europes : the old Western Europestolid, socialistic and lacking entrepreneurial drive, and an Eastern Europefilled with verve, and recognizing the advantage of free markets and democratic governments. Croatia clearly falls into the latter camp.
Dubrovnik is youthful, looking for a future that resembles the U.S. Her glory days might be behind her, however it is interesting that Gloria Gaynor has been asked to perform in the seaside wonderland. America waves. Rumour has it the Russian oligarchs have invested seriously in and around this town. It is a far less risky investment harbour than anywhere in Russia. Additionally, Russian oligarchs have a powerful sense of smell for American capitalism, and that capitalistic fervor is active in Dubrovnik’s economy.
It is too soon to say whether the Dalmatian coast will be the new French Riviera. However it is definitely not a unbelievable agenda. Dubrovnik is the center of the ideal eventuality, not yet San Tropez ; not yet discovered by the flash and dash of the contemporary jet set, but not yet some distance from discovery either. Always in search of new destinations, the tourist peregrines have found Dubrovnik. My suspicion is the glitterati will be on their way.
What they will find is an attractive seaside resort with an extraordinary history that awakens a need to dig into the chapters of this passion-laden destination, writes tagza.com.
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