Our last stop on this European/African cruise on M S C, was the city of Zadar on the Dalmatian coast of the Adriatic sea.
 |
| Behind me is one of its 300 habitable islands |
And yes, that's where Dalmatian dogs originated.
I find it incredible that an area that was bombed and destroyed so many times, from it's days under the Venetian empire could be so modern and developed today!
For it wasn't until 1995 after a brutal 5 year war with Serbia, that it finally got independence after the breakup of Yugoslavia.
It is an expensive country with less than four million people. However, it has come a far way since the war, with rapid growth in tourism, fishing and industry.
 |
| These mini yatchs take passengers on cruises around Croatia lasting up to 8 days |
 |
| Never expected to see tulips here |
The main tourism attractions are the Roman, Medieval and Venetian ruins in the Old City.
 |
The Romans called this a tower of shame |
as they tied petty criminals to it using the bands you see in the pic.
 |
| Bust of Medusa in the large Roman forum near the cathedral. |
 |
| Entrance to the large cathedral. Impressive but we couldn't take pics inside. |
Croatia is basically a Christian country, so scared places like the
1st century AD St. Anastasia Cathedral and the
round 9th pre-Romanesque church of St. Donatus, St. Simons church where his body lies, are virtual national treasures.
Another major attraction is a 11th century St Mary's Church .
 |
| St. Mary's church |
 |
The Saint Donatus cathedral is round.
Unusual shape for a cathedral but it is pre-Christian.
All these structures are remnants in what was once the biggest Roman Forum on the Adriatic Sea.
|
 |
| Pedestrians only allowed on cobblestone streets in the he old Town. |
 |
| Camille and Sonja with the guide in Petra Square. Lots of medieval architecture here. |
 |
| This was a prison for centuries but today it's an art gallery. |
The body of Saint Simon is in this church below.
It is said to be 2500 years old but has barely decomposed!
 |
| This is where the body lies |
The solar panel area below is called "greetings to the sun".
 |
| Posing with our Croatians guide. His name is made up of mainly consonants. It's Hrjvoje. Pronounce it if you good🙂. |
 |
| The land behind is one of the 300 habitable islands that Croatia controls. The little one closest to us has only 30 people. |
 |
| A pic in St. Simons church.5 |
 |
| Sections of Petra, the medieval square. |
 |
| The ancient city wall separates old Zadar |
from new.
The new section is where most people now live.
 |
| "Greetings to the sun" at sundown. |
There is a phenomenon that you only find in Zadar, as it was an experiment.
If you listen carefully to these videos, you will hear the sound like an organ playing.
This sound is made when the waves from the Adriatic sea fill up pipes under the walkway!
Only divers can access the pipes to repair them but both Croatians and visitors alike are intrigued and this little section draws thousands of curious people.
The experiment has led to a boom in their tourism industry.
Other memories in pics.
 |
| We thought the sign above in medical Petra Square was Jamaica. It isn't🙃 |
 |
| Green are around Roman Forum |
