Today we have signed up for a tour which includes a cable car ride up Mount Srd and a walking tour of Old Town.

Our tour begins with a cable car ride up to the top of Mount Srd. Here is Fort Imperial built by
Napoleon’s army. There is also spectacular views of Dubrovnik and the Adriatic Sea.


On top of Mount Srd our very resourceful tour guide gives us a history lesson. We learned about the Homeland War (1991-1995).

We take the cable car down and walk to Old Town. Our first stop is to see Lovrjenac Fort (St Lawrence Fort). Tomorrow we are going up the 178 stairs to further explore.

Our tour of Old Town included the following sights:

  • Old port of Dubrovnik
  • Pile Gate
  • Fort of St. John
  • Rector’s Palace

  • Sponza Palace built in the early 1500s it survived the 1667 earthquake and houses state archives. We went into the Memorial Room of defenders from the Homeland War.
Memorial Wall
The flag that was hung at Fort Imperial on Mount Srd during occupation
  • Churches and Monasteries: St. Blaisus Church, Dominican Monastery, Franciscan Monastery, Cathedral, St. Nicholas, Serbian Orthodox, Mosque
Serbian Orthodox Church
Franciscan Monastery was mostly destroyed by the earthquake in 1667, however this architectural structure with the carving of the Pieta survived
  • Big Fountain of Onofrio (built 1438-1444) built to help with the water problem. Today people refill their water bottles at this fountain
Big Fountain of Onofrio
  • Main street Placa – Stradun constructed in the 12th century
  • Orlando’s statue
  • Square of the Loggia: Orlando’s column, Clock tower from the 15th century, Loggia of the Bell, Main Guard House

  • Small Fountain of Onofrio
  • The site of the first Orphanage which was founded in 1432. The inscription has remained about the fire burning in our hearts

After the tour, we had some lunch and tried our first Aperol Spritz, it was very refreshing.

Aperol Spritz at Cafe Royal

We went back to the Rector’s Palace. It is now a cultural-historical museum. Unfortunately, no pictures permitted. We were able to see:

  • The courtroom and prison cells – not a place I would enjoy spending any time
  • Male attaire from 18th century on display, portraits
  • Coins, medals, seals, coats of arms
  • Pharmacy – founded in 1492 – has pots and lab equipment from 16th-18th century
  • Arsenal – weapons used from various centuries
  • Ante Room – works of art from 16th-19th century
  • Louis XVI Room – furniture from 18th century, paintings, luxurious chandelier (19th century)
  • Music room – piano made in 1780 by Anton Walter (also made pianos for Mozart)
  • Rector’s bedroom
  • Chapel

We did more walking around Old Town and some souviner shopping. On our walk we found many beautiful and interesting sights, including an archeological dig.

the only preserves structure from medieval history. Archaeological survey has beem able to date structure and items from late 1400s

It was time to cool down so went to Banje Beach to have a swim in the Adriatic Sea. The water was perfect, so blue and clear. You could see the fish swimming underneath us!


For supper back to Old Town to Spaghetteria Toni again enjoying the Italian influence. Jess enjoyed homemade gnocchi and I tried “dirty maceroni” it was good, I’ll try to recreate it when I get home. It is basically pasta with beef stew and cinnamon. We also enjoyed some local wine.

After supper, we walked around and enjoyed the Summer Festival. Lots of musical entertainment everywhere.

A great day in Croatia!