European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 16, 1980, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tuesday. September 16. 1980 the stars and stripes walled City by the sea a walk along the thick Stone Walls encircling Dubrovnik leads past 14 towers and five  offers Best views of the City. By Leah Larkin travel editor i  the cities in Yugoslavia. Inc on Elhat seems to get the most attention is Dubrov Nik. As far As cities go in is distinct. Venice de Rives disc incision from canals. Whal makes Dubrovnik different is Walls. Eighteen feel thick Stone Forliti cations encircle the City for one and a Quarter Miles. Walled cities Are found throughout Europe but none have Walls so Well preserved so imposing As those thai surround  City Al Casl that pan of in sur k rounded by the Walls juts oui into the Adriatic on a Liny rounded Peninsula. The Best place to snarl a Lour is from above pm lop of the Walls. There Are Jim iwo Points of entry into the walled cily from the pile Gale at inc Western end or inc Loee Gate at the opposite Side. There Are places to climb to the lop of the Walls near both gales. The walk along the Walls leads past 14 towers and five bastions. One of inc Best views of Dubrovnik is from the Minctta Tower yet the views from every Angle Are fascinating. Here you look Over the Coral coloured rooftops of the City to the azure Blue sea beyond. You look Down the string Skinny streets to a Panorama of motion. Laundry swings from above while kids Chase balls and dogs Chase cals underneath. Everywhere you arc Likely to see Small groups of people engaged in conversation. If possible iry to plan a walk on the Walls late in the Day. As the Sun goes Down and the lights begin to assume its role the picture becomes More than pretty. Another pretty picture is the View of the City from the top of nearby my. Serdj. Ride a Cable car up the Mountain. Walking at so acct level within the Walls is no less incr a swing. This part of Dubrovnik where some 7,000 of its 60,000 citizens live is off limits to cars which May in part account for the leisurely atmosphere of yesterday. People traffic is thick but the people Are Friendly and relaxed. The stress and pressures of modern life seem to blocked out on the other Side of the Walls. The heaviest concentration of both people and pigeons is on the Straun or Placa the major thoroughfare that crosses the City. The Marble promenade is lined on both sides with buildings whose facades and height Are almost identical. The symmetry of the architectural sameness the Dalmatian arched door and window combination on every facade for example creates a Beautiful Harmony. Most of the buildings House shops that sell an Abun dance of souvenirs embroidered blouses wot Xicart Ings. Turkish Coffee sets Etc. The structures were built of Stone after the great earthquake of 1667. The quake and the fire that followed destroyed much of the City. After the disaster ordinances were passed discouraging build ing of Wood. Dubrovnik. Which was known As Ragusa Back at the time it a s founded by greek and roman refugees has traditionally been an important seaport. While much of Yugoslavia was dominated at various times by various empires. Dubrovnik remained an Independent Republic. It did however come under the Protection of the byzantines until 1204. The venetians until 1358, the hungarians until 1526 and inc turks until 1806. Napoleon abolished the Republic in 1808 in was assigned to Austria by the Congress of Vienna and in 1918 it became Parl of Yugoslavia. Dubrovnik is the kind of City you can fwd and know without traipsing through museum after museum Church after Church. The sense of history a there right in the streets. The different styles of the buildings Are testaments to the past. But Iacre arc buildings Worth entering. Such As inc 12lh a Colury Rector s Palace a combination of Laic gothic and Early Renaissance styles. Behind the Cal error w alls is a courtyard with an elegant staircase leading loan arcaded Balcony. The first floor of the Palace houses the Large rooms where the great Council and Senate held their meetings during the Days of inc Republic. Near the Palace is the City s baroque Cathedral also world an inside View As it contains a painting attributed old woman in traditional costume. Is photos by Dave Didio to Titian. The Church Treasury has a priceless collection of Gold and Silver Reli quaries. The Church of St. Blaisch the Patron Saint of Dubrov Nik is another Rich in baroque decoration. Just across the so real is inc Sponza Palace a 16lh Century slur Cluro  shows a skillful blend of architectural styles today it houses a collection of historical documents pertaining to the City and the museum of the National re Volution. The dominican monastery will ils cloister courtyard and Church Art objects and paintings merits a Stop. A does the franciscan monastery which contains a famous old Library a Musum and a pharmacy from 1317. As Dubrovnik is a coastal City water is important. Portals in the thick Walls Lead to the Harbor where Small fishing boats and pleasure Craft Are tied up. Some of the boats take tourists to the nearby Island of Lokim or other offshore islands. Dubrovnik and its environs arc Ideal for a Beach holi Day. Most of the hotels arc outside the Walls with easy Access to the sea and places for swimming. Along the coast Boih North and South of the City Are resort areas. Those inter sled in More than the Beach and Cit sights should consider scheduling a visit during Dubrov Nik s summer festival six weeks of cultural performances featuring plays and concerts in the court of the Rector s Palace that Slart every year in mid july. More information on Dubrovnik is available from the yugoslavian National tourist office Goel Peplau 7, d 6000 Frankfurt main Germany