Viking: Empires of the Mediterranean Cruise
(The Adriatic Sea), July 21-31, 2024

The robust walls around the city of Dubrovnik

In the late 1800s this was initially a simple fountain built around a spring by Military engineering, its water was warm during winter and fresh in summer. In 1896 the mayor visited Paris and asked that a statue be donated for the decoration of the fountain. In 1898 it was ready... a nude couple. Since 1997 the statue was damaged several times because of the subject matter, but each time it has been restored.

From inside the city, this is the wall with the Minceta tower in the wall.

From the water, this is the Bokar fortress. It should be able to withstand the attackers in the kyacks.

unless the kyackers call for reinforcements.

Prominent in a wall niche is Saint Blaise, patron of Dubrovnik

Church of the Holy Savior (St. Savior?)

Sponza Palace was built from 1516 to 1522 as a customs house, and it has subsequently been used as a mint, treasury, armory, bank, and Archives, considered to be among the richest Archives in Europe.

The statute of Marin Držic, famous for writing tragic comedies and often called Dubrovnik’s Shakespeare, used to be location in the Babin Kuk suburb of Dubrovnik but was moved to outside of the theatre bearing his name some years ago. And since his arrival in the heart of the Old City the “legend” or “myth” that rubbing his nose brings luck has been born. Neither locals nor historians can explain the legend.

Some things seem to be everywhere. Even more common than McDonalds or Starbucks.

Church of St. Donatus, in the old Roman Forum of Zadar. It was built in the 9th century, and at 27 meters high (over 88 feet) is the tallest building surviving from the Roman era. It is open for concerts and tours (not us) but church services are at a nearby facility.

The nearby cathedral of St. Anastasia is the functioning Catholic church.

The Pillar of Shame and St. Elijah Church in Zadar, Croatia. Offenders were chained to the pillar for several hours for public ridicule. For example, a woman emptying a chamber pot out a window typically was sentenced to an hour of shame.

One of the Relief carvings from the Old Roman Forum. Some references believe it is Zeus.

St Mary's church in Zadar

Catholic Cathedral of St. Anastasia

The beach/pier where we docked in Zadar was unusual. The waves and breeze activated "organ pipes" in the pavement. The blue dots on the pavement are photocells that collect solar energy during the day and light up at night, representing the large sun and the 9 planets (Pluto is still recognized). The wall in front of the grass is black and white representing musical keyboard - ignoring that the black keys should be in alternating groups of 2 and 3

This short video is so you can hear the wave=generated sounds

Back on the ship we had another great meal (last menu picture, I promise!)

Tomorrow night we will be packing to leave, so tonight the captain invited us to a farewell toast. He said the crew had been invited to receive our thanks, but I doubt if this is 10% of the crew. It was followed by a "Beatles Songbook," an outstanding performance by the on-board musicians.