Things to do in Dalmatia
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Dubrovnik City Walls
No visit to Dubrovnik would be complete without a leisurely walk around the city walls. Built between the 13th and 16th centuries and still intact today, these powerful walls are the finest in the world and Dubrovnik's main claim to fame.
The first set of walls to enclose the city were built in the 13th century. In the middle of the 14th century the 1.5m-thick walls were fortified with 15 square forts. The threat of attacks from the Turks in the 15th century prompted the city to strengthen the existing forts and add new ones so that the entire Old Town is now contained within a curtain of stone over 2km long and up to 25m high. The walls are thicker on the land side - up …
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Adriatic Explore
Day trips to Mostar and Montenegro (both 380KN) are very popular. Excursions to Mljet, Korčula and the Elafiti Islands (250KN) are offered, too.
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Kamenice
Looks vaguely like a socialist-style canteen, with prices to match. Order the squid, anchovies or kamenice (oysters).
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Chihuahua Cantina Mexicana
No matter how good the local cuisine is, sometimes the palate cries out for exotic spices. The tapas, fajitas and empanadas may be ersatz Mexican, but it is a refreshing change from pasta, risotto and fish. Plus there are vegetarian dishes to fortify the lively young crowd.
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Cathedral of St Domnius
This cathedral was originally built as Diocletian's mausoleum. The original octagonal form of the mausoleum, encircled by 24 columns, has been almost completely preserved. The domed interior is round with two rows of Corinthian columns and a frieze showing Emperor Diocletian and his wife, Prisca. The Romanesque belfry was constructed between the 12th and 16th centuries and reconstructed in 1908 after it collapsed. Notice the two lion figures at the foot of the belfry and the Egyptian black-granite sphinx dating from the 15th century BC on the right wall.
The oldest monuments in the cathedral are the remarkable scenes on the wooden entrance doors from the life of Christ. …
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Rector’s Palace
The Gothic-Renaissance Rector’s Palace was built in the late 15th century and is adorned with outstanding sculptural ornamentation. It retains a striking compositional unity despite being rebuilt many times. Notice the finely carved capitals and the ornate staircase in the atrium, which is often used for concerts during the Summer Festival. Also in the atrium is a statue of Miho Pracat, who bequeathed his wealth to the Republic and was the only commoner in the 1000 years of the Republic’s existence to be honoured with a statue (1638). We may assume that the bequest was considerable. The palace was built for the rector who governed Dubrovnik, and it contains the rector’s o…
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Church of St Donat
The main places of interest are near the circular Church of St Donat , one of the most outstanding monuments in Dalmatia. Dating from the beginning of the 9th century, it was named after Bishop Donat who allegedly had it built following the style of early Byzantine architecture. The unusual circular ground plan is especially visible on the southern side because the southern annexe is missing.
The church was built over the Roman forum, which was constructed between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century AD. A few architectural fragments are preserved and two complete pillars are built into the church. The original floors were removed, and now slabs from the ancient forum a…
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Franciscan Monastery & Museum
Over the doorway of this monastery is a remarkable pietà sculpted by the local masters Petar and Leonard Andrijić in 1498. Unfortunately, the portal is all that remains of the richly decorated church, which was destroyed in the 1667 earthquake. Inside the monastery complex is a mid-14th-century cloister, one of the most beautiful late-Romanesque structures in Dalmatia. Notice how each capital over the incredibly slim dual columns is topped by a different figure, portraying human heads, animals and floral arrangements. Also enjoyable is the small square garden that’s shaded by orange and palm trees.
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Lucín Kantun
A modest-looking place with shabby-chic decor and a few pavement tables, but appearances are deceptive – this restaurant serves some of the most creative food in Dubrovnik. Virtually everything on the short meze-style menu is excellent, including amazing squid (stuffed with smoked ham and served with lemon and butter sauce), a lentil and shrimp creation, cheeses (including paški sir) and Dalmatian hams. Everything is freshly cooked from an open kitchen so you may have to wait a while at busy times.
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Beaches & Islands
There are coves around the Hotels Amfora and Dalmacija for swimming, but most people head to the Pakleni Islands (Pakleni Otoci), which got their name from Paklina, the resin that once coated boats and ships.
Taxi boats (30mins) leave regularly during the high season from in front of the Arsenal to the islands of Jerolim and Stipanska, which are popular naturist islands (although nudity is not mandatory), and then continue on to Ždrilica and Palmižana, the latter being a sandy beach.
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Peristyle
Peristyle is the ceremonial entrance court to the imperial quarters, measuring 35m by 13m and three steps below the level of the surrounding streets. The longer side is lined by six granite columns, linked by arches and decorated with a stone frieze. The southern side of the Peristyle is enclosed by the Protiron, which is the entrance into the imperial quarters. The square has an outdoor café and the ancient stones provide handy seats to relax and people-watch in this popular meeting place.
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Gregorius of Nin Statue
An imposing statue of the 10th-century Croatian bishop who fought for the right to use old Croatian in liturgical services. Sculpted by Ivan Meštrović, this powerful work is one of the defining images of Split. Notice that his left big toe has been polished to a shine. It's said that touching it brings good luck. To the west of the statue is the well-preserved corner tower of the palace.
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Marjan Hill
From the Meštrović Gallery it's possible to hike straight up Marjan Hill (123m). Go up Tonća Petrasova Marovića on the western side of the gallery and continue straight up the stairway to Put Meja. Turn left and walk west to Put Meja 76. The trail begins on the western side of this building. Marjan Hill offers trails through the forest, lookouts and old chapels.
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Explore Croatia
8 days (ex Dubrovnik)
by Intrepid
Walk the famed city walls of Dubrovnik, Dine on traditional treats in Korcula, Try travarica - the local tipple, Sip a cocktail at a waterside bar in Hvar, Expl…Not LP reviewed
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Buffet Fife
Dragomir presides over a motley crew of sailors and misfits who drop in for the simple, savoury home cooking (especially the pašticada; beef stuffed with lard and roasted in wine and spices) and his own brand of hospitality.
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Marco Polo Tower
It's said that Marco Polo was born in Korčula in 1254 and, for a small fee, you can climb the tower of the house that is supposed to have been his. A planned restoration will turn it into a museum.
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Golden Gate
The Golden Gate was once the starting point for the road to Solin. From the fragments that remain, it's possible to visualise the statues, columns and arches that once decorated the gate.
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Memorial Room of the Defenders of Dubrovnik
Also in the interior is the Memorial Room of the Defenders of Dubrovnik, a heartbreaking collection of portraits of young people who perished between 1991 and 1995.
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Orhan
Fancy restaurant beautifully located by the Pile Gate. Fish and seafood are good here, but you’ll pay a premium for the location.
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Sloboda Cinema
This is the most centrally located cinema. Posters outside advertise the nightly showings.
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Fresh
Smoothies, wraps and other healthy snacks are on offer at this popular meeting place.
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Diocletian's Palace
Facing onto the harbour, Diocletian's Palace is one of the most imposing Roman ruins in existence. Although the original structure was modified in the Middle Ages, the alterations have only served to increase the allure of this fascinating site. Far from being a museum, the 220 buildings within the palace boundaries are home to about 3000 people. The cellars are a market for crafted jewellery, reproductions of Roman busts, silver cigarette cases, candlestick holders, wooden sailing ships, leather goods and other odds and ends.
The palace was built from lustrous white stone from the island of Brač and construction lasted 10 years. Diocletian spared no expense, importing m…
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Cathedral of St Lovro
The glory of the town is the three-naved Venetian Cathedral of St Lovro, built from the 13th to 15th centuries and one of the finest architectural works in Croatia. Note first the Romanesque portal (1240) by Master Radovan. The sides of the portal depict lion figures (the symbol of Venice) with Adam and Eve above them, the earliest example of the nude in Dalmatian sculpture.
The outer pilasters show saints, the centre scenes represent the calendar months and the small posts feature hunting scenes. Overhead is the Nativity of Christ. At the end of the portico is another fine piece of sculpture - the baptistry sculpted in 1464 by Andrija Aleši. Enter the building through an…
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Moreška Sword Dance
Every visitor who happens to be in Korčula from June to September inevitably winds up at the Moreška sword dance. Performed in Korčula since the 15th century, the dance is one of the island's most colourful traditions. Although probably of Spanish origin, Korčula is now the only place in which it is performed. It tells the story of two kings - the White King (dressed in red) and the Black King - who fight for a princess abducted by the Black King.
In the spoken introduction the princess declares her love for the White King and the Black King refuses to relinquish her. The two armies draw swords and 'fight' in an intricate dance accompanied by a band. Enthusiastic town…
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Franciscan Monastery & Museum
The 15th-century Franciscan monastery and museum overlooks a shady cove. The elegant bell tower was built in the 16th century by a well-known family of stonemasons from Korčula. The Renaissance cloister leads to a refectory containing lace, coins, nautical charts and valuable documents, such as an edition of Ptolemy's Atlas, printed in 1524. Your eye will immediately be struck by The Last Supper, an 8m by 2.5m work by the Venetian Matteo Ingoli dating from the end of the 16th century. The cypress in the cloister garden is said to be more than 300 years old.
The adjoining church, named Our Lady of Charity, contains more fine paintings such as the three polyptychs created …
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