Tag: Dubrovnik Card

  • Dubrovnik City Wall Walk

    Dubrovnik City Wall Walk

    The impressive fortified Dubrovnik city wall encircles the Old Town like a stone guard that shield away any unwanted attention. It’s known to be the best fortification systems in Europe that have successfully protected the wealthy sea-trading republic for centuries. While some may argue that it’s the skilful diplomats who have maintained the city’s freedom rather than the impregnable wall, none can argue about its immense visual appeal.

    Now, the thick sturdy-looking stone wall is a marquee attraction of Dubrovnik and becoming Croatia’s most popular destination. Therefore, no visit to this coastal city would be completed without a walk around the outstanding walls of Dubrovnik. Besides the great views around the Old Town, it also lets visitors gaze over those orangey rooftops. And have an up-close glimpse of intimate insights into Dubrovnik and its inhabitants.

    The entrance to Dubrovnik city wall is near the old port area which on its own a great place to explore. Plus the numerous boats against the backdrop of the Old Town and Mount Srd are simply stunning.

    Many boats at Dubrovnik old port

    Dubrovnik old port overview

    I also went over to the jetty of St. John fort for some photo-taking.

    View of St John Fort in Dubrovnik

    I hereby forewarn anyone who’s considering doing the same thing. While the jetty looks great and the chairs look inviting, please be mindful of the incoming waves during rough tides at St. John fort.

    Jetty of St. John Fort at Dubrovnik

    Jetty of St. John Fort

    Once I started walking atop the city wall, Dubrovnik’s landmark orangey Terracotta roof tiles are even more apparent and quite a contrast to almost everything else. The scenic cityscape and the Adriatic Sea from up here are amazing, I only wish I have better photographic skills to capture its beauty.

    Oh, and my entrance fee is covered by the 1 day Dubrovnik Card.

    Entrance to Dubrovnik City Wall

    Dubrovnik City Wall Walk

    Dubrovnik City Wall Walk

    Dubrovnik Wall Walk

    Dubrovnik Wall Walk

    Southern entrance of Dominican Monastery

    Dubrovnik Wall Walk

    Up close with Dubrovnik City Wall

    It’s also a unique way to see the town from an angle which most cities do not offer. I can look down at those quiet alleys, even peek into some private courtyard and opened windows if I want to.

    Alley view from Dubrovnik City Wall

    Sea of orange roofs at Dubrovnik

    View of Old Town from City Wall

    Along the Dubrovnik Wall

    Kids having fun at Dubrovnik

    Dubrovnik in frame

    The owner of this rooftop must be having some of the best views in Dubrovnik. What a place to have a nice private party and how I wish to be on his invite list!!

    Rooftop at Dubrovnik

    I can also see Greater Dubrovnik which sprawls beyond the city walls.

    Greater Dubrovnik

    It’s nice to see Pile Gate and Placa Street (Stradun) from the top too.

    Pile Gate from the Dubrovnik City Wall

    Stradun from the Dubrovnik Wall

    That’s the infamous Buza Bar but I opt to continue exploring the intriguing city wall instead.

    Buza Bar in Dubrovnik

    Strong waves and the Dubrovnik City Wall

    Dubrovnik City Wall Walk

    The views get even better as I approach Fort Bokar. Here I can see Fort Lovrijenac just right across and what a stunning scene it is!

    Walking towards Fort Bokar in Dubrovnik

    Fort Bokar and Greater Dubrovnik

    Fort Lovrijenac of Dubrovnik

    Awesome view from Fort Lovrijenac

    I suppose the view from Fort Lovrijenac overlooking the City Wall will be equally majestic and so I made my way across. Then the rain started to pour like no tomorrow with big raindrops inflicting pain on my face.

    Once again, the waves reminded me of the power of nature, one very scary experience as I could have been swept away. I was very taken aback by the crashing waves but not sure how I still managed to click the shutter.

    The sudden waves at Dubrovnik

    Indeed, the view from Fort Lovrijenac is really out of this world. Just look at these pictures and video!

    Dubrovnik City Wall from Fort Lovrijenac

    Stunning view of Dubrovnik

    View from Fort Lovrijenac

    Around Fort Lovrijenac

    Around Fort Lovrijenac2

    The city wall walk which is around 2km long left me totally enchanted by the Pearl of the Adriatic Sea. I couldn’t find any better words to describe its beauty myself. This place is just so dazzling.

    The heavy rain and strong wind became more and more unbearable that I decided to retreat to a sheltered place, which is none other than the Tourist Information. That’s when I realised I was the only one out in the rain at Fort Lovrijenac…

    I went on to take more pictures around the Old Town when the rain isn’t that heavy, before boarding a bus back to rest.

    Caught in the rain at Dubrovnik

    Red umbrella at Dubrovnik Old Town

    After the down pour at Dubrovnik

    My takeaway dinner
    My takeaway dinner

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  • Dubrovnik Card and the Old Town

    Dubrovnik Card and the Old Town

    I woke up feeling excited as I will be spending the whole day exploring the Old Town and making good use of the pre-purchased Dubrovnik Card. Started the day with a good breakfast at Hotel Dubrovnik Palace before hopping on the next bus to Old Town. I can’t wait to check out the Pearl of Adriatic Sea in daylight glory.

    As I need the bus to reach Old Town, it make sense to buy a 1 Day Dubrovnik Card at 135 Croatian Kuna (S$27) that features unlimited bus rides (a return trip cost 24 Croatian Kuna) plus free entrance fee to City Wall which cost 100 Croatian Kuna. A visit to the museums included (40 Croatian Kuna) and it’s money well spent. Buy the card online to save 10% off the usual 150 Croatian Kuna and then pick it up at Tourist Board Office near Pile bus stop.

    Bus No. 4 with Dubrovnik Card

    Back to the Pile Gate on a very windy day and I was hoping it will not rain, not fun being caught in the rain with few sheltered places around the Old Town.

    Pile Gate at Dubrovnik Old Town

    Art vendor at Dubrovnik Old Town

    Dubrovnik Map

    Near the entrance and at the start of Placa Street (Stradun) is the Big Onofrio’s Fountain. An impressive domed fountain with more than dozen of water taps in the design of masked faces. This ancient fountain still receives water supply from a nearby spring in Sumet and it’s free for all. It should be safe to drink since I saw many people doing that and I follow suit.

    Big Onofrio's Fountain at Dubrovnik Old Town

    Placa Street Stradun

    Bell Tower of Dubrovnik Old Town

    Right at the other end of Placa Street and next to the Bell Tower is the elegantly designed Small Onofrio’s Fountain.

    Small Onofrio's Fountain at Dubrovnik Old Town

    Can you read the time on the Bell Tower?

    Bell Tower time at Dubrovnik

    It’s good to reach the Old Town during early morning where the tour groups are still missing in action. In exchange, I get to see the locals going through their daily activities.

    Local of Dubrovnik

    Pretty local of Dubrovnik

    Morning at Dubrovnik

    Morning at Dubrovnik

    Morning at Dubrovnik

    Morning market at Dubrovnik

    Another way to see the Old Town is to explore the alleys that sprawl off the main Placa Street. It’s like a visit to the backstage where you see more stuff going on behind the scene.

    Alleys of Dubrovnik

    Corner alleys of Dubrovnik

    Young boy at Dubrovnik

    Around the alleys of Dubrovnik Old Town

    Off the main street of Dubrovnik

    St Ignatius Church

    I visited St Ignatius church located on an elevated ground at the southern edge of the Old Town. One unique thing about this church is that it has an artificial cave dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes.

    St Ignatius Church in Dubrovnik

    Interior of St Ignatius Church in Dubrovnik

    Artificial cave in St Ignatius church

    Rector Palace

    Also visited the Rector Palace (need to make the worth of my Dubrovnik card, remember? LOL) which is now a museum that presents some history of Dubrovnik through the exhibits on display. This is where the Rector would reside during his one-month mandate and venue for important meetings back in medieval Dubrovnik time.

    Rector Palace in Dubrovnik

    Interior Rector Palace

    Interior of Rector Palace

    The original Dubrovnik bronze Jacks sculptures are safe-keep in Rector Palace.

    Dubrovnik bronze Jacks

    The uniquely designed hand railing and some cool looking treasure chests.

    Hand railing of Rector Palace

    Treasure chest display at Rector Palace1

    Treasure chest display at Rector Palace

    Maritime Museum

    The next place that I used the Dubrovnik Card is the Maritime Museum located at St. John Fort. Similar to Rector Palace, the exhibits here present an overview of Dubrovnik maritime trade and shipbuilding history.

    Maritime museum of Dubrovnik

    Maritime museum of Dubrovnik2

    Maritime museum of Dubrovnik3

    Maritime museum of Dubrovnik4

    The Dubrovnik Card covers the entry fee for 5 other museums like Art Gallery Dubrovnik, Dulčić-Masle-Pulitika Gallery, Marin Držić House, Natural History Museum and Rupe Ethnographic Museum.

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