Aschi "Freestone"'s photos

Dubrovnik city wall and fortification The city of Dubrovnik has the best preserved defensive medieval fortification system in Europe. About two kilometers long, it surrounds the old town of Dubrovnik from all sides and has become a landmark not only of the old town, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The importance of the defensive system is only evident from the list of numerous sieges of the city: Fifteen-month siege by the Saracens 866-867 Sieged by Venice 948 Siege by Venice and the Knight's Army of the Fourth Crusade 1205 Devastation of Dalmatia by the Mongols, Dubrovnik survived the siege Russian-Montenegrin siege 1806 Siege by the Austro-Hungarian troops 1814 Siege by the Yugoslav People's Army during the fighting for Dubrovnik 1991-1992

Bridge over the Ova da Bernina on the way to Val da Fain on the Bernina Pass

My contribution to the renewal of Ipernity

Facade and Tower of the Franciscan Monastery On the west side of the city, under the protection of the wall, there is the Franciscan monastery, a cultural and artistic historical heritage. Some parts were damaged during the century and collapsed, especially during the strong earthquake of 1667, when the magnificent church collapsed.

we also plunge into the tourist hustle and bustle and walk on Stradun, Dubrovnik's main street in the back right the 31 meter high bell tower built in 1444. During the big earthquake the stability of the bell tower suffered, it tilted with the time and there was danger of collapse. In 1929 it was rebuilt according to old plans. PiP: another view of the tower

Entrance into the old port of Dubrovnik, view over the old town Dubrovnik, also known as the Republic of Ragusa, is a town in southern Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. The town is often called the "Pearl of the Adriatic" and "Croatian Athens" because of its cultural importance and its special political position over centuries. In 1979 the entire old town was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

We pass the fortress Lovrijenac The Lovrijenac fortress from the 14th-16th century is a mighty fortification of the old town of Dubrovnik on a high rock, which played an important role in the defence of the town in the past.

we approach Dubrovnik, and leave the quiet surroundings of these small island worlds. in the background a cruise liner is already anchoring, flooding the small town with thousands of people!

Intermediate stop on the way to Dubrovnik, short bike tour Lopud an island that belongs to the Elaphites. The islands of the Elaphites are called Daksa, Koločep, Sv Andrija, Lopud, Ruda, Šipan, Jakljan, Tajan and Olipa. Most of them are very small and uninhabited. Koločep, Lopud and Šipan are the only inhabited islands, The island has more than 2584 hours of sunshine a year and has its own freshwater wells, so it is covered with greenery, trees, shrubs, plants and many palm trees. Various Greek, Roman and Old Slavic buildings and ruins indicate that the island has been inhabited for a long time. Lopud has been a well-known seaside resort for a century. With the exception of some bicycles, scooters and electric buggies there is no traffic on the island.

after an airy descent we reach Sudurad The former summer residence of Vice Stjepović-Skočibuha is located in Suđurađ in the east of the island. In the heyday of the Republic of Dubrovnik, over 40 summer residences were built on the island of Sipan in the 15th and 16th centuries. During the summer months the social and cultural life was transferred from Dubrovnik to Sipan. Most of the mansions are now ruins. Only the summer residence of Vice Stjepović-Skočibuha, a shipbuilder, merchant and benefactor, has retained its original shape to this day. The distinctive fortified towers were not added until 1577, when work on the complex was completed. The villa consists of the main house, a chapel, another cottage, the towers and the massive walls that surround the property.

Sipan is the largest of the Elaphitic Islands, it lies 17 km northwest of Dubrovnik, beautiful scenery, shady olive groves and occasionally a small hamlet. Most of the island is covered by the Sipan field, which consists of vineyards, fig trees and olive groves. on the roof of the church fort near sudurad

over this plateau we are on our way from Šipanska Luka to Sudurad

View over the harbour and its entrance from Šipanska Luka

The first mention of Šipans under this name dates back to 1371. Šipanska Luka houses summer residences of famous families from the 15th century. Above Šipanska Luka there is the parish church of St. Stephen from the 15th century.

on the way from Prapranto to Šipanska Luka on the island Otok Šipan

HFF and a great Valentine's Day for all my Ipernity Friends

the view compensates for the ascent!! Prapratno is a small bay, It faces south and has a sandy beach that is considered one of the most beautiful in the Adriatic. The water is warm and crystal clear, the bay is surrounded by olive and pine trees. Here in the bay our ship is waiting to take us back on board.

along the palm alley, up the mountain again