Five 'must-see' cultural gems in and around Dubrovnik

The best thing about Dubrovnik known as the Pearl of the Adriatic is the variety it offers as my family and I found out when we visited this delightful city on the Croatian coast. It has an exceptionally rich cultural heritage and beautiful vistas with the Elaphite Islands, old fishing villages, modern resorts and the walled city of Kotor in Montenegro just a short distance away.

Surrounded by water on three sides, a great way to arrive is by boat where you avoid impatient Croatian drivers and the worry of finding a parking spot, an almost impossible task in the height of the season. There is an abundance of boat trips on offer from the galleon sailing serenely into Dubrovnik's old walled harbour, the Port of Gruz to one of the many inexpensive ferries and charter boats of all shapes and sizes. Boaters and non-boaters alike will enjoy the view from the sea towards the ramparts of the old castle before disembarking for some serious culture!

Dating back to the Renaissance and Baroque periods, since 1979 the old town of Dubrovnik has been featured on the UNESCO World Heritage List with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches and monasteries, cool water fountains and elegant palaces. The dazzlingly white defensive walls of the castle gave us the perfect view but beware - the fierce heat can leave some sightseers like myself wilting and in need of much needed shade!

As we made our way round, it was hard to imagine the damage the castle walls of Dubrovnik and the old city suffered during the 1990's following Croatia's independence in 1991 as it has all been restored to it's original state.

The Dubrovnik Summer Festival is the cultural happening of the year with something for everyone. In July and August, there are classical concerts of Mozart, Bach and Vivaldi performed in the Atrium of the Rector's Palace. Operas and theatre performances of Shakespeare's plays are staged in courtyards and squares in the old town, the perfect backdrop.

20 kilometres south of Dubrovnik on the southern most part of the Croatian coast is Cavtat, a pretty fishing village well worth a visit. If you don't fancy driving or a coach, once again there are plenty of privately operated boats available from Dubrovnik's old port.

Built on the foundations of ancient epidaurum, Austro-Hungarian holidaymakers and wealthy Croatians first discovered Cavtat, a small medieval town in the early part of the twentieth century. This picturesque town of cobbled streets and colourful blossom offers beautiful summer mansions, palaces and a variety of concerts and harmony-singing groups during July and August when you can enjoy the relaxed cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Today, bored millionaires lounge on the decks of their jet-set yachts to watch lesser mortals eat in restaurants with crisp white linen and sparkling glasses while others amble by for a dip in the brilliant blue sea. On the wooded pathways leading down to the beaches, local women in traditional dress display handmade lace napkins, tablecloths and souvenirs.

Trsteno was a particular favourite of mine. Not only has this deserted village been home to sea captains and seamen in the past, it was also the summer home to aristocrats for many centuries. In 1502, Ivan Gucetic, the Dubrovnik nobleman built his summer villa and garden overlooking the sea and for many generations, the Gucetic family maintained their villas and estates until they were confiscated in 1948 by a communist regime intent on destroying their aristocratic way of life.

Trsteno Arboretum overlooking the oldest part of the former Gucetic estate is a typical Renaissance garden dating back to the 15th century and famous for two 500 year-old gigantic plane trees. In 1950, it was declared the property of the Croation Academy of Sciences and Arts but it is now open to the public. The landscaped gardens include oleander, rosemary, lavender and Cyprus trees and the water garden with Neptune surrounded by nymphs and over 300 exotic shrubs and trees are not to be missed.

The Elaphite Islands belonging to the Elaphite Archipelago consist of eight islands and five islets that are accessible by ferry from Dubrovnik. We chose an all-day cruise to Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan, the three most popular islands, where we savoured fresh seafood with plenty of homegrown herbs and olive oil followed by some delicious gelato ice cream!

Another amazing island just ten minutes from Dubrovnik Harbour with boats leaving every half hour is Lokrum, where it is believed Richard the Lionheart was shipwrecked in 1192. The island has a beautiful botanical garden, a lake called the Dead Sea and the star-shaped Forte Royale Fortress offering great views of the entire island and Dubrovnik. Mijet, a densely wooded and very beautiful island with two endemic seawater lakes, Great Lake and Small Lake is also very easy to reach.

To round off your trip and armed with your passport, spoil yourself with a one-day cruise from Dubrovnik to Kotor in Montenegro taking in the unique coasts and many islands on route. On arrival, an excursion into the old walled medieval city of Kotor, a city with a rich cultural, architectural and historical heritage is one you will not forget.

In 1979, UNESCO placed Kotor on "The world natural and cultural Inheritance" list. This medieval city under the castle walls and rugged mountains overlooking the bay of Kotor, the fjord of the north, enjoys a stunning location. The narrow streets and squares, the many palaces, churches and monuments and the unique architectural styles are guarded by the ramparts initiated in the Illyrian age which are 4.5km long, 20m high and 15m wide.

The Cathedral of St. Tryphon in the heart of old Kotor was constructed in 1166 on the remains of a former temple from the IX century with frescos from the XIV century and domestic and Venetian gold works dating from the XIV to the XX centuries. Another architectural gem is the Clock Tower in the main town square built in 1602 and completed at the time of the 1667 earthquake. Apparently, the earthquake caused the tower to lean west towards the sea until 1979 when another earthquake returned it to its original position!

With a glut of cafes, pubs, taverns and events such as the Summer Carnival to attract the culture vulture, the old town of Kotor is a major tourist destination that we definitely want to see again.

More Information:

Dubrovnik Tourist Board;
Tourist Board of Kotor;

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