Like A Phoenix Dubrovnik, The Athens Of The Adriatic, Has Risen From Virtual Destruction After Slobodan Milosovic’s Serbian Army Devastated The Town In 1991.
Like a phoenix Dubrovnik, the Athens of the Adriatic, has risen from virtual annihilation after Slobodan Milosovic’s Serbian military devastated the town in 1991. 70 % of the houses suffered damage from the bombing. Even the ancient wall that surrounds the old town was battered by the tank shelling. Yet today Dubrovnik is a visitor destination. The old town has been reconstructed. Firstclass hotels are a feature of the hillside. This diamond of a city is a living memorial to human resiliency.
In the heart of the town, just inside the jetty, 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 times past have been replaced. Holiday makers from Japan, Israel, Germany and China fill the primary street. And the smoke of fried fish are pervasive.
Dubrovnik is Croatia’s hydra-headed metropolis. It’s been devastated by visiting armed forces and quakes and yet it survives, guarded by the ancient myth of Saint Blaise, who vowed to conquer Ragusa’s (the first name of Dubrovnik) enemies. In the past, this town was a centre for students, artists and teachers. It appeared to be an ecumenical community different from other settlements in the region. 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 grand architectural wonder. For aged travellers it is also a stress test. There are 335 steps going up and around this barrier. It isn’t the Great Wall of China, nor is it a walk in the park. On the way are forts and historic monuments to a past that gives the present meaning. Looking down one finds roofs being repaired, a sea glistening with tiny vessels and enclosed basketball courts. The Croats are basketball funny.
One or two years gone Don Rumsfeld, previous secretary of defense, made reference to the two Europes : the old Western Europestolid, socialistic and lacking entrepreneurial drive, and an Eastern Europefilled with potency, and recognizing the virtue of free markets and democratic govts. Croatia clearly falls into the latter camp.
Dubrovnik is young, searching for a future that resembles the U.S. Her glory days may be behind her, however it is fascinating that Gloria Gaynor has been asked to perform in the beach wonderland. America waves. Rumor has it the Russian oligarchs have invested heavily in and around this town. It is a far better investment harbor than anywhere in Russia. Additionally, Russian oligarchs have a keen sense of smell for American capitalism, and that capitalistic fervor is active in Dubrovnik’s economy.
It is too shortly to say if the Dalmatian coast will be the new French Riviera. However it is definitely not a far-fetched agenda. Dubrovnik is the centre of the utopian eventuality, not yet San Tropez ; not yet discovered by the flash and dash of the recent jet set, although not yet some distance from discovery either. Always in search of new destinations, the holiday maker 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.
