Village Life along the Dalmatian Coast
July 29 - August 6, 2008
Ports of Call
VENICE
From the grace of the Bridge of Sighs to the grandeur of the Basilica di San Marco and the gondolas gliding along its legendary canals, Venice offers an unmatched combination of romance, history and beauty. A powerful trading port throughout the Middle Ages, Venice established a prosperous empire. By virtue of its wealth, openness and natural setting, Venice was an ideal location for culture and the arts to flourish. Like Rome and Florence, Venice was a primary focal point for the Italian Renaissance. Its fascinating history, magnificent array of architectural styles and unrivaled collections of works by Italian masters have earned it a reputation as a paradise for historians and art lovers alike.
PULA
According to legend, Pula, “the eternal heart of Istria,” was founded by Jason and Medea after they absconded with the Golden Fleece. In fact, its 3,000-year history establishes it as one of the most ancient towns located along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, but its pride rests in its wide array of Roman monuments, built during the city’s occupation by the Roman military. Most impressive is the marvelous Arena, erected in 27 B.C. After Rome’s Colosseum, it is arguably the finest and most intact Roman amphitheater in the world. Michelangelo and Piranesi took inspiration from the nearby Triumphal Arch of the Sergii, distinguished by its coffered archways and winged Victory statues. The noble Temple of Augustus, still intact after 2,000 years, displays a beautiful collection of friezes.
SPLIT
Split gained renown as a port and resort town in C.E. 305, when the Roman Emperor Diocletian built a vast retirement palace for himself there. Today, the historic city center teems with life in the very foundations and structures of Diocletian’s Palace. Within the precincts of this vast complex stand the stately Cathedral of St. Domnius, formerly Diocletian’s Mausoleum, and the medieval Baptistry of St. John, once a temple dedicated to the Roman deity Jupiter. Step over ancient chariot ruts and walk through monumental archways to the lively commercial quarter and colorful open-air market.
HVAR
Located near the tip of a narrow limestone island off the Dalmatian Coast, Hvar traces its foundation to settlers from Sicily in the fourth century B.C. In subsequent eras, Romans, Byzantines, Croatians and Venetians all left their mark on its history and architecture. The 15th-century Franciscan monastery and the nearby Church of Our Lady of Charity house artworks reflecting the city’s dual Slavic and Italian heritage. Within Hvar’s picturesque walled old town, the Renaissance Cathedral of St. Stephen and its Italianate bell tower rise above the bustling Main Square.
DUBROVNIK
Affectionately called “the pearl of the Adriatic” by Lord Byron, Dubrovnik fiercely resisted Venetian domination. Its strategically situated walls and well-preserved medieval fortifications make it home to some of the finest Renaissance architecture in Europe. For its incomparable beauty and historic treasures, the entire city has been named a World Heritage site, and is one of its largest UNESCO restoration projects. After a visit to one of the city’s most famous landmarks, the 15th-century Rector’s Palace, take a short walk along the old city walls and enjoy superb views of the old port. Continue to the Maritime Museum, which chronicles Dubrovnik’s long and fascinating history as one of Europe’s most storied ports.
MLJET NATIONAL PARK
Mljet National Park, established in 1960, occupies the western end of its namesake island and preserves both Dalmatia’s natural and its human heritage. Here forests of Aleppo pine and holm oak overlook sheltered coves and inlets, Roman ruins and medieval monasteries fringe the shoreline, and residents of sun-dappled fishing villages follow the lifestyles of forebears.
KORCULA
Dock near the original 13th-century city walls of this immaculately preserved medieval town. Stroll along unique herringbone-patterned streets and visit the historic Cathedral’s Abbey treasury, home to a priceless collection of medieval manuscripts, artwork and historic artifacts ranging from jewelry and coins to textiles and porcelain. See the house where Marco Polo is said to have been born, and gaze at masterful works by Tintoretto in the 15th-century Cathedral of St. Mark. Journey into the nearby countryside, where vineyards and wineries produce some of the finest vintages in the region, for a tasting of local wine.
ZADAR
Located astride a narrow peninsula, the historic city of Zadar can justly lay claim to the title of spiritual capital of Croatia. Within the walls of its old town, its beautifully preserved churches and chapels reflect 1,200 years of changing styles in ecclesiastical architecture. The ninth-century Church of St. Donatus, with its conical-cylindrical dome, stands as Dalmatia’s finest Byzantine legacy. Built on the site of Zadar’s ancient Forum, the Cathedral of St. Anastasia’s austere Romanesque façade contrasts dramatically with its ornate Baroque interior. The Museum of Sacred Art, located in a former monastery, houses a priceless collection of religious paintings and artifacts.