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Old City of Dubrovnik, World Heritage Sites by UNESCO (part 1)
by ALOHA DEAN

 

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Dubrovnik - the city of a unique political and cultural history (the Dubrovnik Republic, the Statute from 1272), of world-famous cultural heritage and beauty (inscribed on the List of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO) - is one of the most attractive and famous cities of the Mediterranean.
Just Selection Criteria to become inscribed:
* to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius;
* to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared;
* to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history;

Dubrovnik or The 'Pearl of the Adriatic', situated on the Dalmatian coast, became an important Mediterranean sea power from the 13th century onwards. Although severely damaged by an earthquake in 1667, Dubrovnik managed to preserve its beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains. Damaged again in the 1990s by armed conflict, it is now the focus of a major restoration programme co-ordinated by UNESCO.

DUBROVNIK - CITY OF CULTURE AND FUN
The history of Dubrovnik begins in 7th century when a small village was established on a little island. Its first habitants were the refugees from Epidaurum (today Cavtat) who were escaping from Slavs and Avars. Remains of Epidaurum can still be seen also today under the sea. At that time, they called Dubrovnik Laus which in Greek means rock. Thanks to that Rock divided by a sea channel, they were safe. Later, across from Laus a village was built on the coast rich in little oak trees (dub) and was named Dubrovnik. Stradun, today the central street of the Old town once was a sea channel!

The Rector's Palace Atrium was the centre of the government of the Republic of Dubrovnik. Today it is open for visitors and is one of the important Dubrovnik Summer Festival locations. The Atrium made of stone has excellent acoustics that is suitable for solists, trios, quartets and orchestras.
The Folk ensamble Linđo was founded more than 40 years ago. The variety of songs and dances from all Croatian regions is a sufficient reason to give yourself a night of folklore. Your reward will be an energetic and enjoyable show performed by amateur boys and girls who are clearly proud of their traditions and take great pleasure in their performance. Lindo always gets long applauses accompanied by several encores and this is the best indicator that Lindo can set the audience on fire again and again.
Nautical Museum & Aquarium are two more attractions of this nautical city which are well worth of visit. You will discover Dubrovnik's nautical history through the vast collection of boats, sailor's sculptures and paintings. The visit to the Aquarium in the silente stoned interior of the St. John Fort is an event which you will remember!

In its summer issue US women's magazine Marie Claire has declared Dubrovnik's Banje beach to be the third most beautiful beach in the world. Ahead of it are only Dreamland beach on Bali's Bukit peninsula and Anse Victorin beach on the Seychelles.
This exceptional recognition in the category of the ten most
beautiful beaches in the world comes thanks not only to the beach's exceptional attractiveness, but also to all-night parties organised there. The article points out that Banje offers the best view on the Mediterranean - it looks directly at Croatia's most beautiful tourist pearl - the old town core of Dubrovnik. There really is a stunning view that shoots out from Banje on to the well-known walls of Dubrovnik, especially since photos taken from Banje beach are probably the best-known panoramic pictures of Dubrovnik that go out to the world.
Besides this recognition, Banje beach and the East West Club located on it this year made the annual "Beach Clubs" publication's prestigious top forty clubs in the world list.

The East West Club offers an excellent offer of cuisine and many diverse programs - music, entertainment, night and daytime events... And while during the day it functions like a typical beach with an offer of deck chairs and baldachins whose deck chairs, veiled by curtains, offer comfort for two, at night the East West Club becomes a place for a real afterhours outing. This year the co-owners of the club have fitted the lower part of the exterior with exotic leather coverings and numerous pillows, and the good vibrations will again this year be accompanied in the late hours by two attractive female dancers.
The list of world famous celebrities who have sipped their cocktails on Banje is long, the nephew of the Swedish king, soccer player Rio Ferdinand, actress Tara Reid, Swedish top-model Carolin, pop star Ulf Ekberg from the famed band Ace of Base and many other stars have enjoyed themselves on the beach.

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