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In The Guts Of The City, Just Inside The Marina, The Sponza Palace Pays Tribute To The Handfuls Of Local Boys Who Paid The Ultimate Sacrifice Defending Their City.

Like a phoenix Dubrovnik, the Athens of the Adriatic, has risen from virtual destruction after Slobodan Milosovic’s Serbian military devastated the town in 1991. 70 per cent of the houses suffered damage from the bombing. Even the traditional wall that surrounds the old town was battered by the tank shelling. Yet today Dubrovnik is a visitor destination. The old town has been rebuilt. Firstclass hotels are a feature of the hillside. This precious stone of a city is a living memorial to human resiliency.

In the center of the town, just within the jetty, the Sponza Palace pays tribute to the handfuls of local boys who paid the final sacrifice protecting their town. But twenty years ago appears like the distant past. Now pizza and ice cream stands abound. The orange roofs of yesteryear have been replaced. Travellers from Japan, Israel, Germany and China fill the key street. And the fumes of fried fish are pervasive.

Dubrovnik is Croatia’s hydra-headed metropolis. It has been destroyed by going to armies and earthquakes and yet it survives, guarded by the traditional parable of Saint Blaise, who promised to beat Ragusa’s (the original name of Dubrovnik) enemies. In the past, this town was a mecca for students, artists and teachers. It appeared to be an ecumenical community different from the other settlements in the area. As a commercial center, it caught 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 impressive architectural wonder. For elderly holiday makers it is also a stress test. There are 335 steps going up and around this barrier. It is not the Great Wall of China, nor is it a walk in the park. On the way are forts and historical monuments to a past that gives the present meaning. Looking down one finds roofs being mended, a sea glittering with tiny vessels and enclosed basketball courts. The Croats are basketball crazy.

A few years ago Don Rumsfeld, former secretary of defense, made reference to the two Europes : the old Western Europestolid, socialistic and lacking entrepreneurial drive, and an Eastern Europefilled with verve, and spotting the benefit of free markets and democratic governments. Croatia clearly falls into the second camp.

Dubrovnik is young, hunting for a future that resembles the U.S. Her glory days might be behind her, but it is fascinating that Gloria Gaynor has been asked to perform in the seaside wonderland. America waves. Rumor has it the Russian oligarchs have invested heavily in and around this town. It is a far safer investment harbor than anywhere in Russia. Additionally, Russian oligarchs have a good sense of smell for American capitalism, and that capitalistic fervor is active in Dubrovnik’s economy.

It is too soon to state if the Dalmatian coast will be the new French Riviera. Nevertheless it is certainly not a fantastic agenda. Dubrovnik is the centre of the utopian scenario, not yet San Tropez ; not yet discovered by the flash and dash of the recent jet set, though not yet far from discovery either. Always in pursuit of new destinations, the holiday maker peregrines have found Dubrovnik. My suspicion is the glitterati will be on their way.

What they’re going to find is an interesting seaside resort with an extraordinary history that awakens a desire to dig into the chapters of this passion-laden destination, writes tagza.com.
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