Dubrovnik, 1977

Photos © Ruud Leeuw

Upon invitation (an interline deal) by the airline JAT (Jugoslavenski Aerotransport) to the staff of Aero Ground Services (AG), I travelled with collegues in Oct. 1977 to Dubrovnik for a weekend. We had lovely weather and we explored at our leisure this historic city on the Adriatic Sea.

The prosperity of the city of Dubrovnik has always been based on maritime trade. In the Middle Ages, as the Republic of Ragusa, also known as the fifth Maritime Republic (together with Amalfi, Pisa, Genoa and Venice), it became the only eastern Adriatic city-state to rival Venice. Supported by its wealth and skilled diplomacy, the city achieved a remarkable level of development, particularly during the 15th and 16th centuries. [Wikipedia]

Dubrovnik We had a wonderful time exploring the narrow streets in the old city.

Damaged by the armed conflict of the 1990s, the Old City of Dubrovnik became the focus of a major restoration programme co-ordinated by UNESCO.
In 1991, the city was immediately included on the List of World Heritage in Danger in order to draw international attention to the situation and carry out the necessary emergency protection measures. With UNESCO providing technical advice and financial assistance, the Croatian Government restored the facades of the Franciscan and Dominican cloisters, repaired roofs and rebuilt palaces.
As a result, in December 1998, it became possible to remove the city from the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Dubrovnik was originally called Ragusa and was formed in the 7th century when coastal residents took refuge there under the onslaught of barbarian invasions. Walls were quickly built to protect the new settlement.
Over the next four centuries Ragusa expanded its influence over the coast and became increasingly prosperous by trading with other Mediterranean cities. In 1205 it fell under the control of Venice but it managed to break away in 1358
In 1667, Dubrovnik was devastated by a major earthquake which destroyed most of its Renaissance art and architecture.
After the earthquake, Dubrovnik fell into decline, hastened by the emergence of other European naval powers. It was Napoleon who finally put an end to the republic in 1806 when he entered the city and announced its annexation. In 1815, the Congress of Vienna ceded Dubrovnik to Austria to whom it remained attached until 1918.

Dubrovnik began to develop its tourist industry in the late 19th century. Luminaries such as Lord Byron, George Bernard Shaw and Agatha Christie were awed by the town and Dubrovnik became a major tourist centre in post-war Yugoslavia.

We stumbled on a 'movie set'... We were kept away for fear of disturbing the filming but I managed to take some photos of this event. I never learned the title of the film.

A little park, 'hidden' in the city somewhere. It had indeed been a lovely visit, Doberdan!

the End

Created 20-Jul-2009,
Updated 24-Jul-2009