Walking Dubrovnik's Medieval Wall

Another great day to go exploring with sunshine and a bit of an ocean breeze. So we were back in Old Town to go and walk the mile-and-a-quarter (2 km) medieval walls that have protected Dubrovnik since the 13th century. Forts with rounded walls, so that cannonballs would glance of harmlessly, and towers were added in the 15th century. These 20ft (6m) thick and up to 72ft (22m) high walls intimidated would-be attackers and protected its citizens for centuries.  The walls were never breached, even during the 1991-1992 siege. Walking the walls certainly offers the best illustration of the damage Dubrovnik sustained during the 1991/92 siege. Nearly two-thirds of Dubrovnik's roofs were damaged by 8 months of bombing and were repaired with bright red tiles. You can also see, or more accurately not see, the workmanship of the repairs that went on as the damaged buildings were rebuilt using exactly the same materials and methods with which they were originally constructed. As this is Dubrovnik's most popular attraction, crowds can be an issue. To help keep the people moving and avoid traffic jams, everyone moves in one direction around the wall. We were fortunate as we got on the wall early and did not experience any serious crowd problems.

The new red tiled roofs applied to Old Town buildings after the 1991-1992 bombings

 Looking out through a portal in one of the fortresses you can see the Franciscan Monastery roof with its original tiles

One of two cafes located on the rocky bluffs outside of the walls offering superb views of the Adriatic

Some of the crowds walking along the massive medieval walls and the Franciscan Monastery with its cloistered gardens

Another view of the protective medieval walls and the Old Town buildings they protect