Have not watched it but anyone who has, has seen Dubrovnik as much of the show was filmed there. A point not lost on the multiple souvenir sellers in the city. I remember back to 1991 in the aftermath of the collapse of communism the artificial construct of Yugoslavia fell apart. The furthermost states of Slovenia and North Macedonia slipped into nationhood uneventfully. Closer to the Serbian state it was a different story. Then communist leader Slobodan Milosevic seamlessly assumed the power of post communist Serbia. He also found himself in total control of the Serbian military and used it to ruthlessly wage war on the ethnic groupings he hated most. Serbian Croatian tensions go back over centuries. In 1991 he invaded Croatia and laid siege to Dubrovnik. The media coverage of that was my first exposure to Dubrovnik. The cultural vandalism of serb shelling of the old city was distressing. Some 55% of buildings in the old city were damaged, 11% severely. The siege lasted 7 months and in response to coordinated international pressure Serbia backed off. Thirty years on I wondered if there would be evidence of the war. Fortunately there isn’t.
The Dubrovnik Republic started in the 3th century and continued to function until the early 19th century. Most of the buildings date from the 16th century. Known as the Jewel of the Adriatic the old town encircled by massive intact city walls has an almost fairytale ambience, albeit over touristed by virtue of the regular massive cruise ship arrivals. Nonetheless in the off season the main street is less of a “human zoo” than during the peak summer season.
I hope you enjoy the photos.
Cable car up to Panorama Restaurant high above the old city
