Tag Archives: Croatia

9 May 2016
Dubrovnik, Croatia: Up on the Roof

By Corey Sandler, Destination Consultant Silversea Cruises

We are at anchor offshore of Dubrovnik,  no longer facing invasions by the Ostrogoths, the Ottomans,  Napoleon, Italy, Germany, Serbia…and others who have come here before.

Today, the invaders are tourists–some of them armed and dangerous with Selfie sticks, which had to be one of the silliest inventions of all time.

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Silver Cloud at anchor off Dubrovnik today

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We were most recently here just last week on our way north to Venice. I wrote about Dubrovnik in my post of May 3.

By the 15th and 16th centuries, the thalassocracy of Ragusa—its empire at sea rather than on land—rivaled that of the Republic of Venice and other Italian maritime republics.

For much of that time Ragusa had to walk a fine line, avoiding conflict with Venice and the Ottomans.

The Republic of Ragusa was a relatively advanced state for much of its existence. A medical service was introduced in 1301. Its first pharmacy opened in 1317 and still exists.

Other institutions of the time included an almshouse, a quarantine hospital (Lazarete), and an orphanage. Ragusa instituted Roman-style town planning rules, and a 20 kilometer (12 mile) water supply system was constructed in 1436.

Through it all, the Republic of Ragusa grew its wealth through trade by land and sea. The city had a huge fleet of merchant ships (an argosy) that travelled all over the world. The Ragusans established settlements as far away as India.

Ultimately, Ragusa served as the agent of the Ottomans in the Adriatric and a counter to the Venetians. But the collapse of both powers left Ragusa isolated and vulnerable.

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Dubrovnik’s most beloved church is the Baroque Saint Blaise’s Church, built about 1714.

The main altar holds a polyptych by Titian, portraying a version of the Assumption of the Virgin, probably dating from 1552; the side altars hold paintings of later centuries.

The Cathedral treasury holds 200 relics from the 11th to 18th centuries; chiefly, the gold-plated arm, leg and skull of Saint Blaise and what is said to be a relic of the True Cross.

Another interesting church is Saint Ignatius of Loyola, completed in 1725 and modeled after the church of the same name in Rome. Ignatius was the founder of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits.

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The Church of Saint Ignatius

Text and images copyright 2016 by Corey Sandler. All rights reserved. If you would like to purchase a high-resolution image, please contact me.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ONE OF MY BOOKS, PLEASE CONTACT ME.

SEE THE “How to Order a Photo or Autographed Book” TAB ON THIS PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS

————-

Now available, the revised Second Edition of “Henry Hudson Dreams and Obsession” by Corey Sandler, for the Amazon Kindle. You can read the book on a Kindle device, or in a Kindle App on your computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

If you would like to purchase an autographed copy, please see the tab on this page, “HOW TO ORDER A PHOTO OR AUTOGRAPHED BOOK”

Here’s where to order an electronic copy for immediate delivery:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IA9QTBM

Hudson Book Cover

Henry Hudson Dreams and Obsession: The Tragic Legacy of the New World’s Least Understood Explorer (Kindle Edition)

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ONE OF MY BOOKS,  PLEASE CONTACT ME.

SEE THE “How to Order a Photo or Autographed Book” TAB ON THIS PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS

8 May 2016
Pula, Croatia: Arches and Amphitheaters


By Corey Sandler, Destination Consultant Silversea Cruises

We are sailing out of Venice, one of the world’s most famous places, headed for Pula, Croatia, which is—to many people—quite obscure.

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Above, Silver Cloud at anchor in Pula today, seen through one of the arches of the Roman amphitheater, and below, beyond orange rooftops in town

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But Pula has had its moments.

Some will tell you it all began with Jason and the Argonauts.

According to legend, and a few inconclusive smidgens of archeological evidence, Pula was founded almost three thousand years ago by some of the crew of the Argo.

In the many-times told story, the son of the King of Colchis chased Jason and the crew of the Argo—the Argonauts—after they stole the Golden Fleece.

Colchis was an ancient nation on the east coast of the Black Sea. Today it is western Georgia, extending into Russia at Sochi.

Somewhere around what is now Pula, the story goes, the son of the king of Colchis was killed in battle.

Killing a king—or his son—is usually not something that pleases the ruling powers. And so, Jason’s men sought refuge…and founded Pula.

Now, remember: Jason and the Argonauts is a legend.

But some group did found Pula at about the time of the story.

The truly ancient story of the region includes evidence of ­homo erectus from about 1 million years ago caves near Pula.

There is also pottery from the Neolithic period (6000–2000 BC), and fortifications and tools dated from the Bronze Age of about 1800–1000 BC.

Archeologists and anthropologists believe the settlers of the Bronze Age are connected to sites found along the Danube.

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When the Romans conquered the Istrian Peninsula in the 2nd century BC, Pula became a military stronghold and from an important commercial port.

The Romans used the fine harbor as a landing place for conquests of the surrounding areas after 177BC. The Romans also added water supply and sewage systems and fortified the city with a wall and ten gates.

Some of those gates still stand: the triumphal Arch of the Sergii, funded by Salvia Postuma Sergia in 30 BC, was a monument to three members of her family. The arch was so spectacular it was said to have lured Michelangelo to sketch it during a visit to Pula in the 16th century.

ARCH OF THE SERGII

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In the yellow building along the Arch of the Sergii, the great Irish writer James Joyce taught English in 1904.

The Twin Gates (Porta Gemina) date from the mid-2nd century, replacing an earlier gate; a small section of the old city wall survives nearby.

The Gate of Hercules dates from the 1st century. At the top of the single arch is a sculpture of the bearded head of Hercules, and the names of some of the founders—or at least wealthy contributors—of the town.

The large amphitheater, with accommodations for 20,000 spectators, was built between 27BC and 68AD. In Roman times it was surrounded by temples of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva.

Today, it is the sixth-largest preserved amphitheater in the world.

THE AMPHITHEATER OF PULA

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In the 20th century, in the time of the Italian fascist administration, plans were made to disassemble the arena and move it to mainland Italy, but that huge task was never undertaken.

Instead, you can catch a glimpse of it up a city street above the port.

The Monastery of Saint Francis was said to have been established by Saint Antony of Padua in 1227.

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AROUND PULA

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Text and images copyright 2016 by Corey Sandler. All rights reserved. If you would like to purchase a high-resolution image, please contact me.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ONE OF MY BOOKS, PLEASE CONTACT ME.

SEE THE “How to Order a Photo or Autographed Book” TAB ON THIS PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS

4 May 2016
Rijeka, Croatia: The Gem of Trsat

By Corey Sandler, Destination Consultant Silversea Cruises

A RIJEKA ALBUM

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Sliver Cloud at the dock in Rijeka today

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Text and images copyright 2016 by Corey Sandler. All rights reserved. If you would like to purchase a high-resolution image, please contact me.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ONE OF MY BOOKS, PLEASE CONTACT ME.

SEE THE “How to Order a Photo or Autographed Book” TAB ON THIS PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS

3 May 2016
Dubrovnik, Croatia: The Walls of Time

By Corey Sandler, Destination Consultant Silversea Cruises

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Dubrovnik has lived in danger for most of its existence.

Centuries of political and trade conflict with much-larger powers, a massive earthquake, and a war in the 1990s that still echoes in the ears of some.

But Dubrovnik has one other distinction, and not a happy one.

It was added to the UNESCO list in 1979 and scarcely a dozen years later many of its priceless treasures of humanity were under siege and bombardment.

Today, Dubrovnik is nearly recovered, and one of the most popular tourist lures of the Dalmatian Coast.

The prosperity of Dubrovnik has been linked to the maritime trade for nearly all of its existence. Today, they trade mostly in tourists.

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These days we know the place by its Croatian name. But the Italians reach back to an older name of Ragusa, which is based on the Roman settlement of Ragusium, and in turn the Greek port of Ragousa.

The Republic of Ragusa existed into the Middle Ages.

On the other side of the Adriatic and in the Mediterranean in Italy there were similar seafaring and trading city-states in places like Amalfi, Pisa, Genoa, and Venice.

The city reached its peak of power in the 15th and 16th centuries.

We’re due to return to Dubrovnik on the next cruise, and I’ll have more photos and commentary in my blog entry for May 9.

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Text and images copyright 2016 by Corey Sandler. All rights reserved. If you would like to purchase a high-resolution image, please contact me.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ONE OF MY BOOKS, PLEASE CONTACT ME.

SEE THE “How to Order a Photo or Autographed Book” TAB ON THIS PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS

————-

Now available, the revised Second Edition of “Henry Hudson Dreams and Obsession” by Corey Sandler, for the Amazon Kindle. You can read the book on a Kindle device, or in a Kindle App on your computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

If you would like to purchase an autographed copy, please see the tab on this page, “HOW TO ORDER A PHOTO OR AUTOGRAPHED BOOK”

Here’s where to order an electronic copy for immediate delivery:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IA9QTBM

Hudson Book Cover

Henry Hudson Dreams and Obsession: The Tragic Legacy of the New World’s Least Understood Explorer (Kindle Edition)

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ONE OF MY BOOKS,  PLEASE CONTACT ME.

SEE THE “How to Order a Photo or Autographed Book” TAB ON THIS PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS

1 July 2015
 Hvar, Croatia: Lavender for the Soul

By Corey Sandler, Destination Consultant Silversea Cruises

We have returned to Hvar, Croatia in summer. I know, life is tough.

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Hvar has a bit of history,  dating all the way back to the Greeks. Today,  it is awakening from a long slumber as a handsome modem seaside resort in an ancient setting.

For more about this colorful place, see my blog entry from June 7.

Text and images copyright 2015 by Corey Sandler. All rights reserved. If you would like to purchase a high-resolution image, please contact me.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ONE OF MY BOOKS, PLEASE CONTACT ME.

SEE THE “How to Order a Photo or Autographed Book” TAB ON THIS PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS

30 June 2015
 Dubrovnik, Croatia: A History of Danger

By Corey Sandler, Destination Consultant Silversea Cruises

George Bernard Shaw visited Dubrovnik in 1929 and said: “If you want to see heaven on earth, come to Dubrovnik.”

As I noted in my blog entry when we visited earlier this month, on June 6, this has not always been a heavenly place. It has been a place of war and unrest for most of its existence, its most recent time of battle in 1991.

The Walls of Dubrovnik run almost 2 kilometers or 1.5 miles around the city.

The stone walls have been in place since the city’s founding prior to the 7th century as a Byzantine castrum.

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There was near-continuous expansions and improvements through the Middle Ages and as late as the 17th century, and they were never breached by an army throughout that period.

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The Cathedral of Dubrovnik and its treasury.

Text and images copyright 2015 by Corey Sandler. All rights reserved. If you would like to purchase a high-resolution image, please contact me.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ONE OF MY BOOKS, PLEASE CONTACT ME.

SEE THE “How to Order a Photo or Autographed Book” TAB ON THIS PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS

12 June 2015
 Trogir, Croatia: In Plain Sight

By Corey Sandler, Destination Consultant Silversea Cruises

The island-city of Trogir is one of the oldest cities on the Adriatic Sea, dating back four thousand years.

What you see today is a not-much-updated mix of ancient Greek, Roman, and Venetian structures with influences by Italy in more recent times.

What does that mean? The showpiece structures are Romanesque-Gothic, with the Lion of Saint Mark peeking around many a corner.

These days Trogir is a beautiful place hidden in plain sight, not much visited by outsiders: in 2015 there are only five scheduled calls by cruise ships, four of the visits by Silversea ships.

Trogir lies between the mainland of Croatia and Čiovo Island on the western entrance of the bay where once stood Salona, the ancient capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia.

And about 20 miles away lies the city of Split, a city still framed by the 1500-year-old walls of the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian.

On this visit, I went with guests to the resplendent Krka National Park, home of beautiful waterfalls and lakes. It was also used for one of the world’s first hydroelectric dams, inaugurated in 1895 and in use until the First World War. Also in the park is a working water mill for grain.

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Text and images copyright 2015 by Corey Sandler. All rights reserved. If you would like to purchase a high-resolution image, please contact me.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ONE OF MY BOOKS, PLEASE CONTACT ME.

SEE THE “How to Order a Photo or Autographed Book” TAB ON THIS PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS

7 June 2015
 Hvar, Croatia: The Trendy Isle

By Corey Sandler, Destination Consultant Silversea Cruises

The island of Hvar is one of Croatia’s trendiest destinations: Beaches, watersports, cafés, and shops.

The tourist bureau would have you think of it as the Saint-Tropez of Dalmatia.

It’s a very attractive place; the town of Hvar is mostly white and tan structures with orange or red roofs.

But going to Hvar means going to a place where, with the arrival of summer come flocks of tourists, along with eruptions of color in the interior of the island: vineyards, fields of lavender, and riots of wild flowers.

A HVAR ALBUM

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On this visit I went with a group of guests on an off-road adventure into some of the mountains and valleys of Hvar.

We ventured through fields of purple lavender and yellow broom to isolated towns;  one village is down to just seven residents,  some of whom were refugees from an even more remote settlement now abandoned.

Here is some of what I saw.

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Text and images copyright 2015 by Corey Sandler. All rights reserved. If you would like to purchase a high-resolution image, please contact me.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ONE OF MY BOOKS, PLEASE CONTACT ME.

SEE THE “How to Order a Photo or Autographed Book” TAB ON THIS PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS

6 June 2015
 Dubrovnik, Croatia: A History of Danger

By Corey Sandler, Destination Consultant Silversea Cruises

Dubrovnik has lived with danger for most of its existence.

Centuries of political and trade conflict with much-larger powers, a massive earthquake, and a war in the 1990s whose effects can still be seen.

What remains and has been restored is a sight to be seen, now one of the most popular places to visit in the growing tourist allure of Croatia.

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Photos by Corey Sandler

We know the place today by its Croation name of Dubrovnik. The Italians reach back to an older name of Ragusa, which is based on the Roman settlement of Ragusium, and in turn the Greek port of Ragousa.

In the Middle Ages, the Republic of Ragusa was an important economic and political power, in the era of similar city-states like Amalfi, Pisa, Genoa, and Venice.

By the 15th and 16th centuries, its thalassocracy–its empire at sea rather than on land—rivaled that of the Republic of Venice.

Text and images copyright 2015 by Corey Sandler. All rights reserved. If you would like to purchase a high-resolution image, please contact me.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ONE OF MY BOOKS, PLEASE CONTACT ME.

SEE THE “How to Order a Photo or Autographed Book” TAB ON THIS PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS

————-

Now available, the revised Second Edition of “Henry Hudson Dreams and Obsession” by Corey Sandler, for the Amazon Kindle. You can read the book on a Kindle device, or in a Kindle App on your computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

If you would like to purchase an autographed copy, please see the tab on this page, “HOW TO ORDER A PHOTO OR AUTOGRAPHED BOOK”

Here’s where to order an electronic copy for immediate delivery:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IA9QTBM

Henry Hudson Dreams cover

Henry Hudson Dreams and Obsession: The Tragic Legacy of the New World’s Least Understood Explorer (Kindle Edition)

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ONE OF MY BOOKS,  PLEASE CONTACT ME.

SEE THE “How to Order a Photo or Autographed Book” TAB ON THIS PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS