Dubrovnik … From The City Walls – # 2

[ Photo Blog  #66 ]

I now continue my tour of Dubrovnik with more photographs taken from the superb viewpoint of the magnificent 16th Century walls surrounding the city, during my visit there in 2006.  It is amazing to realise that, only 15 years before my visit, the city had been under siege from invading forces of the Yugoslavian People’s Army during the Croatian War of Independence.

At that time Dubrovnik was a designated UNESCO ‘Protected’ World Heritage Site and the attack on the then besieged city shocked the world.  It had been caught up in the war being fought in the former Yugoslavia.  The military engagement saw the city under siege from both land and sea and constant shelling destroyed many of its ancient baroque buildings and marbled streets.   Many of Dubrovnik’s inhabitants were killed or injured during the bombardments.  Most the buildings in the old town were struck by shells.  The city walls were badly damaged in many places, and its palaces, churches, its monastery and fountains were also badly damaged.

Incredibly, by the time of my visit, Dubrovnik, as you can see from my photographs, had, at a huge cost, been largely restored to something approaching its former glory.

 

Acquainted with the night

‘Acquainted With The Night’ … Pen and Wash – WHB . 2017

I have been acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain – and back in rain.
I  have outwalked the furthest city light.

I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,

But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still an unearthly height,
One luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been acquainted with the night.

 

                        Robert Frost

(Poem No.30 of my Favourite short poems )

Venice

Venetian Sunset – from Piazza San Marco … Pen & Wash … WHB … 2013

City of Islands
City of Dream
Inscribed with colour
Every scene

City of History
City of Deeds
Imbued with story
Every step

City of Passion
City of Pride
Engorged with fashion
Every stride

City of Clamour
City of Bells
Ringing with meaning
Every knell

City of Turmoil
City of Strife
Threaded with suffering
Every knife

City of Mansions
City of Shrines
Instilled with ardour
Every line

City of Titian
City of Art
Awash with beauty
Every part

City of Merchants
City of Trade
Echoed by Shakespeare
Every shade

City of Water
City of Mud
Sea taking over
Every flood

City of Magic
City of Spells
Present in each pile
Every shell

City of Revels
City of Fete
Carnivals rule life
Every date

City of Intrigue
City of Masks
Sophistry renews
Every task

City of Drama
City of Sin
Would I were there now
Let new life begin.

The Church of San Giorgio Maggiore, from St Mark’s Square, Venice … WHB … 2013

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