For fans of the hit series Game of Thrones (GOT), lovers of history and those who want to take in stunning landscapes and ancient architecture, the once war-torn Balkans region offers a variety of historic and scenic options.
Such UNESCO sites are chosen for their cultural and historical significance.
Dubrovnik (Croatia)
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I am a GOT fan, so Dubrovnik, standing majestically on the Adriatic Sea, is my favourite Croatian city.
I felt the adrenaline rush when I was scaling the 16th century stone walls of the fortified city imagining the filming of some of the GOT episodes at King’s Landing.
No sets were built as the city has a built-in beauty and old-world charm.
Reaching the pinnacle was by far the toughest climb up endless stone steps.
Even our guide, who climbs the walls four times a day, was panting. However, the pot at the end of the rainbow was a sight to behold.
It is no wonder four to five cruise ships dock at Dubrovnik each day.
TIP: To avoid the crowds, it is best to climb the walls in the late summer afternoon if you are travelling free and easy.
Dubrovnik was founded as Ragusa in the 7th century. It has a long history with Byzantine, Venetian, Turkish, French, and Austro-Hungarian influence.
It survived an earthquake in 1667 and shelling when it was besieged during the Croatian War of Independence.
After being restored, it reemerged as one of the Mediterranean’s top tourist destinations.
Its well-preserved buildings are along Baroque Street; Blaise Church, the Renaissance Sponza Palace and Gothic Rector’s Place, now a history museum.
I was thrilled to stroll down the limestone-paved street Stardun, lined with shops and restaurants and couldn’t resist persuading my husband to take a video of me descending the Jesuit Staircase pretending to be Cersei as she walked down Cersei’s Walk of Shame in GOT.
It was a feeble albeit somewhat personally hilarious attempt. I shall just stick to watching the series.
Zadar (Croatia)
A former fortress of the Venetian Republic, the old town of Zadar is a treasure trove of archaeological gems and monuments from the ancient medieval and Renaissance periods.
Zadar is believed to have the most beautiful sunset in the world according to Alfred Hitchcock who visited the city in 1964.
I couldn’t testify to that as we had left the city by late afternoon.
However, I did savour the stroll along the coastline facing Italy which houses Zadar’s unique highlight: The Sea Organ, created by architect Nikola Basic.
The organ’s subterranean pipes project the tide’s voice with musical sighs as the water ebbs and flows. We felt like we were in a mermaid’s world.
Other draws are the Western Quay and the Monument to the Sun, St Donatus Church, St Mary’s Church and the Roman Forum.
I couldn’t believe the Roman ruins just lying in our path as we walked from the coastline to the city centre; literally history at your feet!
Split (Croatia)
The Roman emperor Diocletian put Split on the map 1,700 years ago when he rebuilt his retirement home here facing the sea.
He imported marble from Italy, Greek columns and 12 sphinxes from Egypt. Diocletian’s Palace (Roman Fortress)) became the Old City of Split; now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We saw the only remaining black sphinx adorning the Palace walls at the heart of the Palace: Peristil Square.
Completed in 305AD, the Palace has four gates, named after metals. We stepped back in time as we descended the stairs from the Bronze Gate to enter the Palace via the basement.
This former tradesman’s entrance is the main way into the Palace. In the old times, goods were transported directly from the ships into the basement and stored there.
What greeted us in the subterranean light was an exotic market place abuzz with everything from handmade souvenirs to local delicacies.
It was fascinating learning that Diocletian’s Palace was a filming site for several scenes of the GOT too and it was here in the basement rooms and corridors where Daenerys Targaryen kept her scaly brood of dragons (when she was in Maereen).
The oldest Catholic church used in its original form is also located in Split.
The octagonal 7th century St Domnius Cathedral used to house the Emperor’s sarcophagus.
This is ironic because Diocletian was a persecutor of Christians.
We left the Palace via the Golden Gate, the original entrance to the Palace in 305AD. Fronting it is one of the defining images of Split: the brass Statue of Grgur Ninski.
He was a 10th century Croatian bishop who fought for the right to use old Croatian in the liturgical services, instead of Latin.
We were persuaded to rub his shiny left big toe for good luck and a return to Split. I did!
Kotor (Montenegro)
Situated on the coast of Montenegro, Kotor is a medieval city, conquered by the Romans in 2BC.
The Old Town is rich with layers of cultural influence of several greats; Illyrian, Byzantine, Venetian, Turkish, French, Austrian, Hungarian.
Then in 1918, Slav sailors in the Austro-Hungarian navy mutinied at Kotor and the town was incorporated into the kingdom of Serbs Croats and Slovenes: Yugoslavia (from 1929 to 2003).
The Old Town of Kotor (Stari Grad) has been on the UNESCO list of protected cultural heritage sites since 1979 after a major earthquake damaged the town.
The town’s white stone walls stretch 4.5km with the main gate dating from the 16th century.
We had a field day exploring the cobbled streets, narrow lanes, climbing up staircases that led to a maze of passages and hidden courtyards, stone churches, all enveloped in a fortification flanked by towering mountains.
And if time permits, climb the 1,350 steps to the fortress perched up on St John’s Hill.
We walked part of the way up the steps which led us above the rooftops from which we had a panoramic view of the town and Bay of Kotor.
The Venetians built many impressive architectural structures when they were at the helm, such as the Catholic Cathedral of Saint Tryphon. It was built in the Romanesque style in 1166, damaged in the 1979 earthquake, but finally restored.
Some visited the Cats Museum to learn about the role cats played in protecting the city and bringing luck.
We hung around the busy Arms Square lined with shops and cafes and met at another architectural highlight, the 17th century Clock Tower when it was time to depart.
Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Mostar—known for its iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge) — is an intriguing hilly town in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It straddles the Neretva River which was a rich emerald green when I saw it.
Today, the town (named after the bridge keepers Mostari) is a UNESCO Heritage Site after the medieval arched bridge (built by the Turks in 1566) was reconstructed in 2004.
The bridge had been destroyed in 1993 during the Yugoslavian War of Independence which lasted from 1992-1995.
Trudging up the steep incline of the bridge I was distracted by loud cheers on the side facing the beach.
Tourists were happily taking photos of strappy young local divers (one in pink trunks) standing on the highest point of the bridge ready to plunge into the icy Neretva River.
However, it is best to carry on with your sightseeing first as they would be there for a while, waiting for tips while you take their pictures before they dive 27 metres into the icy Neretva.
Higher up the hilly town I explored the little alleys lined with quaint shops selling trinkets and teapots. Some even sold key chains and pens shaped as bullet casings!
If you have the time, ascend the narrow staircase near the Old Bridge Museum that leads up to the Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque’s minaret for panoramic city views.
Mostar developed mainly during the Ottoman period from the 16th century. Ottoman constructions include the stone one-arch Kriva Cuprija crooked bridge.
The arch is a perfect semi-circle. This bridge was destroyed by floods in 2000 and rebuilt in 2001 as a UNESCO project funded by Luxembourg.
During the Austro-Hungarian period of the 19th century, many administrative and Christian religious buildings were added to Mostar’s landscape on the right bank of the river where the Croats reside. Most of the Muslims live on the left bank.
Today, Mostar’s rich cultural profile is characterized by the coexistence of the Muslim Bosniaks, Orthodox Serbs, and Catholic Croats.
I came home richer having well-informed and entertaining local guides on this trip who furnished historical facts and stories for each old town we visited.
The Balkan Peninsula is truly a treasure trove of gems in various hues; the turquoise lakes, the expansive emerald forests and nature parks, the dazzling diamond waterfalls, the topaz limestone caves and the pearly stone walls and castle remains of the old towns.
The Peninsula merits a visit; I shall return too, maybe on a cruise.
After all, I did rub the Bishop’s big toe at the Diocletian Palace in Split!
