Dubrovnik at Night Sparkles by tpal
As night descends on the Stradun so does the calm. The day trippers and group tours have departed and Old Town reveals its more genteel side. As we have traveled, we have developed a routine which works for Carol and me. Days are devoted to exploration and more strenuous activities. By late afternoon our bodies are signaling us that it is break time. If possible we try to conclude our day's journey near our accommodations. Ideally by 4:00 or 5:00 pm we are settling in for a recuperative nap. While it is not always possible or desirable (sometimes twilight is too beautiful to miss), we find a little rest energizes us and often puts us on a more normal European schedule...a slow walk at dusk and dinner later in the evening. Dubrovnik, as it turns out, is wonderful at night. Being devoid of automobiles, the lighting is limited to street lamps and the glow from shop windows and restaurants. I love photographing cities at night, my goal being to capture the mood with some degree of clarity. Some angles, in fact, would be impossible in the day time while trying avoid the jostle of the throng. Even if photographing is not part of your goal, the night offers up Dubrovnik in spectacular fashion and should not be missed. Intro Photo: The Stradun definitely glows at night. A leading contributor to the luminescence is the paving stones polished by millions of footfalls over the last century. Prior to 1900 the street also known as the Placa was paved with bricks and before that it was a channel that divided the Slav half from the old Roman half of the City. Of interest to me is the uniform texture of the street's surface. Despite the fact that during the war of the 1990's the Stradun received over 50 direct hits by shells, the surface does not appear to be patched or repaired. I suspect, though I can offer no evidence, that stones may have been scavenged from other less obviously damaged areas. Photo 2: At the western end of the Stradun is Lu?a Square which is considered the heart of Dubrovnik. In this photo the Sponza Palace clearly shows Venetian and Gothic influences. The massive hob nail and timber door is very impressive. Also, note the often rebuilt clock tower to the right with the incongruous digital clock. I have since learned that it was installed in 1929...go figure! Photo 3: This photo of the Rector's Palace clearly presents a building that was designed to impress. Built in the 15th century, the building was the political center of the Republic. My favorite feature of this photo is the ghostly figures walking by, an effect created by the long exposure time. Photo 4: As you pass through the gate off Lu?a Square you enter Domenico Street, one of my favorite night time places. Lined with the city walls to the east and the Dominican Monastery to the west and north, you may note an immediate difference in acoustics...a sort of hushed echo. The entrance to the little gallery in the photo seemed the brightest spot along the otherwise dimly lit passageway. Photo 5: Shortly after exiting the Ploče Gate you will encounter some stunning views of Dubrovnik and the Old Harbor. The skyline features the domes of the Cathedral, the Church of St. Blaise and the clock tower.
