CHAPPIDI ABHIRATH REDDY,
C/O COL GKS REDDY,
Visit to Dubrovnik Old Town
Dubrovnik Old Town
The 'Pearl of the Adriatic', on the Dalmatian coast, was an important Mediterranean sea power from the 13th century onwards. Although severely damaged by an earthquake in 1667, Dubrovnik managed to preserve its beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains.
Dubrovnik was founded in the first half of the 7th century by a group of refugees from Epidaurum, who established their settlement at the island and named it Laus. The Latin name Ragusa (Rausa), in use until the 15th century, originated from the rock (Lat. lausa = rock). Opposite that location, at the foot of Srđ Mountain, the Slavs developed their own settlement under the name of Dubrovnik, derived from the Croatian word dubrava, which means oak woods. When the channel that separated these two settlements was filled in the 12th century they were united. From the time of its establishment the town was under the protection of the Byzantine Empire; after the Fourth Crusade the city came under the sovereignty of Venice (1205-1358), and by the Treaty of Zadar in 1358 it became part of the Hungarian-Croatian Kingdom, when it was effectively a republican free state that reached its peak in the 15th and 16th centuries. An economic crisis in Mediterranean shipping and, more particularly, a catastrophic earthquake on April 1667 that levelled most of the public buildings, destroyed the well-being of the Republic. This powerful earthquake came as a turning point in the city's development.
Dubrovnik is a remarkably well-preserved example of a late-medieval walled city, with a regular street layout. Among the outstanding medieval, Renaissance and Baroque monuments within the magnificent fortifications and the monumental gates to the city are the Town Hall (now the Rector's Palace), dating from the 11th century; the Franciscan Monastery (completed in the 14th century, but now largely Baroque in appearance) with its imposing church; the extensive Dominican Monastery; the cathedral (rebuilt after the 1667 earthquake); the customs house (Sponza), the eclectic appearance of which reveals the fact that it is the work of several hands over many years; and a number of other Baroque churches, such as that of St Blaise (patron saint of the city).
The original World Heritage site consisted solely of the defences and the intra-mural city. It was later extended to include the Pile medieval industrial suburb, a planned development of the 15th century, and the Lovrijenac Fortress, located on a cliff, which was probably begun as early as the 11th century, but owes its present appearance to the 15th and 16th centuries. Also included were the Lazarets, built in the early 17th century to house potential plague-carriers from abroad, the late 15th-century Kase moles, built to protect the port against south-easterly gales, and the Revelin Fortress, dating from 1449, which was built to command the town moat on its northern side.
The island of Lokrum lies to the south-east of Dubrovnik, some 500 m from the coast. In 1023 it became a Benedictine abbey, the first of several in the Republic of Dubrovnik. It was continually enlarged in succeeding centuries, passing to the Congregation of St Justina of Padua in the late 15th century, when a new monastery was built in Gothic-Renaissance style to the south of the ruins of the Benedictine establishment. During their occupation of the island in the early 19th century the French began work on the construction of the Fort Royal Fortress, which was completed by the Austrians in the 1830s. In 1859 Archduke Maximilian of Austria (later Emperor of Mexico) bought the island with the intention of building a villa in classical style on the ruins of the Benedictine abbey, but only a small part of this work was completed.
Historical Description
The proposed extension to the west of the old city includes part of the Pile suburb, with the Brsalje plateau. It marks the point where a major road entered the Roman town that preceded medieval Dubrovnik, and archaeological excavations have revealed the presence there of a Palaeochristian basilica, as well as medieval cemeteries. The Lovrijenac Fortress, located on a cliff, is first mentioned in a document of 1301, but its defensive importance is such that it must have been built much earlier (as early as the 11th century according to some scholars). The fortress owes its present appearance to the 15th and 16th centuries.
The Pile suburb was a planned development of the 15th century, around a clearly defined industrial zone dating back to the 13th century. It was devoted to tanning and leather-working, the casting of cannon, soap manufacture,etc - activities which, for reasons of hygiene and security, were placed outside the walls but within the protection of the fortress. In the early 15th century an important dyeing industry developed in the area, and this was followed by other industries, such as glass-making, bell-casting, and weaving.
These industrial operations led to the construction of workers' houses, and the settlement had its own Church of St George, dating back to the 14th century but rebuilt in its present form in 1590. The Pile suburb has retained its original character, although some changes resulted from the building in the late 19th century of a new road linking Pile with Gruz and passing outside the ramparts of the medieval town. The area known as Iza Grada (Behind the city) lies outside the northern part of the ramparts, and has remained an open space, for defensive reasons, throughout the town I s history. The road joining Pile and Gruz marks its northern boundary.
On the eastern side of the old city lies Ploce, which has served as the centre for trade with the hinterland for centuries. The area proposed for the extension of the World Heritage Site lies to the south of the main road and includes the Lazarets and the Revelin Fortress.
The Kase moles were built around 1485 on the plans of paskoje Milicevic, the most famous Ragusan engineer of the Renaissance period, to protect the port against south-easterly gales while at the same time improving the facilities for controlling vessels approaching the town.
The building of the Lazarets began in 1627 and they were completed in 1648. Their siting at the eastern entrance to the city was practical: this is where traders and travellers would approach Dubrovnik from potentially plague-ridden parts of central Europe or the Orient. They have preserved their original appearance to a remarkable degree.
The Revelin Fortress, built to command the town moat on its northern side, dates from 1449, though its present appearance is that of the 16th century, when it was remodeled by the architect Antonio Ferramolino di Bergamo.
The island of Lokrum lies to the south-east of Dubrovnik, some 500 m from the coast. In 1023 it became a Benedictine abbey, the first of several in the Republic of Dubrovnik. The monastic complex (and especially the Church of the Virgin Mary, destroyed by the earthquake of 1667 and not rebuilt) was continually enlarged in succeeding centuries. Following the reform of the Benedictine Order in the later 15th century, the monastery passed to the Congregation of St Justina of Padua, which was responsible for the building of a new monastery in Gothic-Renaissance style to the south of the ruins of the Benedictine establishment.
During their occupation of the island in the early 19th century the French began work on the construction of the Fort Royal Fortress, which was completed by the Austrians in the 1830s. In 1859 Archduke Maximilian of Austria (later Emperor of Mexico) bought the island with the intention of building a villa in classical style on the ruins of the Benedictine abbey, but only a small part of this work was completed.
The Passalaque Steps
The Passalaque Steps
The most beautiful steps, the work of the Italian master Passalaque, were built on the south side of this square in the baroque period after the earthquake of 1667.
These elegant steps, built in a convex-concave form, lead to the elevatedpoljana Rudjera Boškovića where the Collegium ragusinum, the Jesuit monastery and the baroque church of St. Ignatius are situated. One of the greatest mathematicians, philosophers and physicist of international repute, Rudjer Bošković, after whom the square is named, lived and worked in this monastery for a time.
A view of the Passalaque Steps, leading up to the Rudjer Boskovic Square
The Top of the Passalque Steps, with the Beautiful Bannister on Top and
the Jesuit Monastery beyond in the Boskovic Square
A close up of the Bannister and the Jesuit Monastery
The beautiful Bannister in the Rudjer Boskovic Square, at the top of Passalaque Steps
The Church of St Ignatius
The Church of St Ignatius - or the Jesuits, as the people of Dubrovnik call it, located at the Western end of Rudjer Boskovic Square - is the work of the famed Jesuit architect and painter Ignazio Pozzo, who worked on the church from 1699 to 1703.
The church was completed in 1725 and opened in 1729. The construction of both the Church and the Collegium began with the funds donated by a Jesuit from the Gundulić family, yet the donor had died before the designs were completed
A view of St Ignatius Church located at the western end
of Rudjer Boskovic Square
Another view of St Ignatius Church and the Jesuit Monastery on the Left
A close up of the entrance to St Ignatius Church
The Jesuit Monastery and the Cllegium Ragusnium
Next to this Church is the Jesuit Monastery and a large building constructed for the renowned Dubrovnik University, Collegium Ragusnium, built based on the project by Ranji and Canalin. The wisest people in the Republic attended this University.
A view of the Jesuit Monastery, located on the SW Corner of Rudjer
Boskovic Square between the St Ignatius Church and the Collegium Ragusnium
Southern side of the Rudjer Boskovic Square, showing a portion of the Jesuit Monastery to the Right and the Collegium Ragusnium to the Left
A view of the Imposing Collegium Ragusnium Building
Statue of Marin Drzic
The monument to the Greatest playwright of Dubrovnik, Marin Drzic is located between the theatre named after him and the Rectors Palace, under the authentic section of the City Hall in which his brilliant play entitled Uncle Maroje was performed in 1551. After standing in one of the Babin Kuk squares at Lapad Peninsula for almost four decades, the work of the renowned Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović, was relocated to the Old City in 2008, on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Držićs birth.
The Statue of Marin Drzic located in front of Marin Drzic Theatre,
located between old town hall and the Rectors Palace
Onofrio's Small Fountain
On the eastern end of the Stradun, in front of the old city Armoury, there is a second fountain, Onofrio's Small Fountain, carved by the sculptor Pietro di Martino in 1422 according to designs made by the engineerOnofrio de la Cavea of Neaples.
A view of the Onofrio's small fountain located near the Old Armoury
The Old City Armoury, which is now being used as a Cafeteria
The Dominican Church
On the opposite side of the City, immediately next to the north eastern walls, there is a Dominican monastery with a church, which was finished in the early 14th century, while the monastery was completed in the late 15th century.
Bonino of Milan added this now beautifully restored Gothic arch to the southern entrance to the church in 1419. The half-round stairs solve the problem of the church being built on a hillside with its worship space high above the street level. It unfolds elegantly beneath the simple small ashlar wall.
A view of the Dominican church from the Fort Wall
Another view of the Dominican Church
A view of the Dominican Church from the Fort Wall
A beautifully restored Gothic Arch to the Southern entrance of Dominican Church
A view of the Half Round Steps leading to the Southern
entrance of the Dominican Church
Another view of the Half Round stairs below the Southern
entrance to the Dominican Church
Old City Harbour of Dubrovnik
The Dubrovnik harbour generated much of the wealth on which the city is founded. The city grew in importance in the 16th century, with most of the trade passing through the famous Sponza Palace. Dubrovnik grew to rival Venice as a city state and built Fort Lovrijenac nearby for protection. The Old City, in which the harbour is located, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many of the surrounding buildings were damaged during the 1667 earthquake.
Today, Dubrovnik Harbour is home to a flotilla of sailing yachts and pleasure boats. There is a marina here and it is possible to hire / charter yachts for cruises around the Adriatic and to various nearby islands. A number of operators also offer cruises around the harbour and along the nearby coast, a very popular tourist attraction during the summer months.
The Ponta Gate located at the SE corner of the City next to
the Rector's Palace, leading to the Old Harbour
The Old Harbour from outside the Ponta Gate with Fort Imperial on the Skyline
A view of Fort St John protecting the Old Harbour from the South East
The Tourist information Desk just outside Ponta Gate
A view of the Piers and Fort St John at the SE Corner
A view of the Tourist Boats Anchored in the Old Harbour
A view of the Old Harbour Entry, protected by the Srd Hill on the
North and Fort St John on the South
The Restaurants and stalls at the Old Harbour, just outside the Ponta Gate
The City Walls and Forts
The Dubrovnik city walls are the major attraction for visitors and one of the best preserved fortification complexes in Europe. The 1940-metre long walls encompass five forts and sixteen towers and bastions. The worlds second most attractive museum in the open air, the walls are open for visitors all the year round. The three entrances to the walls include those next to St Lukes Church in the east, next to St Saviours Church at the Pile entrance to the Old City and next to the Maritime Museum located at St Johns Fort.
Taking a walk along the Dubrovnik city walls you will see some of the striking forts used for the defence of the Dubrovnik Republic. Of the five existing forts, Minčeta, Bokar and St John were built within the city walls complex, whereas the two freestanding ones include Lovrjenac in the west and Revelin in the east. Located at the highest point of the city Fort Minčeta protected Dubrovnik from the north. The fort is the symbol of Dubrovniks defence and the flag of Croatia waves on it all the time.
The Fort Walls
The Fort walls are as high as 80 to 85 feet and 15 to 20 feet wide, with Forts, Towers and sentry posts all along.
A view of the Fort wall
Another view of the Fort Wall
The Fort wall at the Pile Gate
Almost the entire Fort Wall is completely intact and well maintained
The Fort Wall and the Moat on the South Western side of the City from outside
Fort Minceta
The Minčeta Tower was built by a local builder named Nicifor Ranjina and Italian engineers sent by Pope Pius II in 1463, at the height of the Turkish threat. Originally as a strong four-sided fort, it is the most prominent point in the defensive system towards the land. The tower's name derives from the name of the Menčetić family, who owned the ground upon which the tower was built. By its height and impressive volume, the tower dominates the northwestern high part of the city and its walls. In the middle of the 15th century, around the earlier quadrilateral fort, Michelozzo built a new round tower using new warfare technique and joined it to the new system of low scarp walls. The full six-meter (20 feet) thick walls of the new tower had a series of protected gun ports. The architect and sculptor Giorgio da Sebenico of Zadar, continued the work on the Minčeta tower. He designed and built the high narrow round tower, while the battlements are a later addition. The tower was completed in 1464, and became the symbol of the unconquerable city of Dubrovnik. After a long excavation, a 16th-century cannon foundry was discovered under Minčeta Tower in Gornji ugao (Upper Tower). It is now a museum. Since Minčeta Tower is the highest point of the wall, it is considered to offer a seemingly "unforgettable" view on the city.
A view of the Northern Fort Wall and the Moat (Now Trees grown in the Moat),
Fort Minceta at the far end (NW corner of the fortifications)
A view of Fort Minceta from the wall
Another view of Fort Minceta
A closeup of Fort Minceta from the Western Wall
An imposing view of Fort Minceta from the Road outside
Fort Bokar
The Fort Bokar, often called "Zvjezdan", is considered to be amongst the most beautiful instances of harmonious and functional fortification architecture. Built as a two-story casemate fortress by Michelozzo from 1461 to 1463, while the city walls were being reconstructed, it stands in front of the medieval wall face protruding into space almost with its whole cylindrical volume. It was conceived as the key point in the defense of the Pila Gate, the western fortified entrance of the city; and after the Minčeta Tower, it is the second key point in the defense of the western land approach to the city. It is said to be the oldest casemented fortress in Europe, which contains a small lapidary collection and numerous cannons.
A view of Fort Bokar located at the SW Corner of the City
Another view of Fort Bokar
A view of the Western Fort wall with Fort Bokar at the
Right corner (SW Corner of the City)
Fort St John
The St. John Fortress (Croatian: Sveti Ivan), often called Mulo Tower, is a complex monumental building on the southeastern side of the old city port, controlling and protecting its entrance. The first fort was built in the mid 14th century, but it was modified on several occasions in the course of the 15th and 16th centuries, which can be seen in the triptych made by the painter Nikola Božidarević in the Dominican monastery. The painting shows Saint Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik. Dominant in the port ambiance, the St. John Fortress prevented access of pirates and other enemy ships. Always cautious at the first sign of danger, the inhabitants of Dubrovnik used to close the entry into the port with heavy chains stretched between the St. John Fortress and the Kase jetty, and they also used to wall up all the port entries to the Great Arsenal.
Today, the fortress houses an aquarium on the ground floor, stocked with fishes from various parts of the Adriatic Sea. On the upper floors there is an ethnographic and a maritime museum devoted to the Republic Maritime Period, the Age of Steam, the Second World War, and the section of techniques of sailing and navigation.
A view of Fort St John (In white colour) at the SE corner of the city
Another view of Fort St John guarding the southern shoulder of the Harbour entry
Note:- The information about the places visited has been Extracted from Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia.
