Dalmatian Coast
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The Dalmatian Coast is a historical region in Europe on the east coast of the Adriatic Sea. Most of the coast and offshore islands are in modern Croatia but the region extends roughly as far north as the outskirts of Venice and south to Corfu. The coast includes portions of Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Croatia. The name derives from the ancient Roman province of Dalmatia. This historic-laden area includes several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Dalmatian spotted dogs originated in this area.

 

Click on any picture to enlarge it.

Map of Our Adventure

This map is an approximation of our journey, blue by water in a small ship and red overland. The pictures that follow show some of the trip highlights.
The Olympics Games originated in Greece in the 4th Century BCE and were brought back to life in the 19th CE. Here is Olympic Stadium in current Athens. Olympic Stadium - Athens

Sign About Parthenon Restoration   The Parthenon, Athens

The Parthenon sat on top of the Acropolis, literally, the top of the city of Athens. We found much restoration activity going on.
Jerry and Naimah outside the walls of the Acropolis (L) and Naimah posing in front of the Parthenon (R). Jerry and Naimah Outside the Acropolis Walls, Athens   Naimah Posing in Front of the Parthenon, Athens

Stadium on the Acropolis, Athens   The Parthenon, Athens   The Parthenon, Athens

A view of the stadium on the Acropolis, now partially restored and hosting current concerts and events (L). (C) a view of the Parthenon on top of the Acropolis, and (R) a view of the Parthenon on the Acropolis walls.
Church of Theotokos Gorgoepikoos and Ayios Eleytherios. This 12th Century church is Eastern Orthodox and tiny. It is located in the shadow of the Athens Cathedral in the Plaka, or Old Quarter of Athens. Church of Theotokos Gorgoepikoos and Ayios Eleytherios Sign   Church of Theotokos Gorgoepikoos and Ayios Eleytherios

Strata (layers) of Civilization, Athens Subway Station

Prior to hosting the Olympics Games in 2004, Athens had to undergo several infrastructure upgrades. This included building a subway, or metro underground transit system. This picture was taken in one of the subway stations and shows the strata (layers) of the many cultures that had inhabited the area over the last three millennia. Digging almost anywhere in Athens revealed an archeological site.
The Corinth Canal (Canal at Corinth) connects two sections of the Mediterranean Sea, the Ionian (to the west) and the Aegean (to the east) while cutting the Peloponnese into an island. Here (L) We enter the Canal after leaving Piraeus, (C) are in the Canal, and (R) leave the Canal for our transit into the Adriatic Sea, our target for the next week or so. Entering the Canal At Corinth   Jerrold Patz in the Canal at Corinth   Exiting the Canal at Corinth

Plaque Designating Delphi as a UNESCO Site   The "Sacred Way" in Delphi   Overview of the Large Theater at Delphi

Delphi is one of the UNESCO sites that we visited. Held by the Greeks as the center of the world, it is still an important archeological site. (L) The plaque designating Delphi as a UNESCO site, (C) a view of the "Sacred Way" in Delphi, and (R) an overview of the large theater (built to seat 5,000) at Delphi. Delphi was renown for its Oracle, the dispenser of the advice of the god Apollo.
One of the treasury buildings at Delphi, the restored Athenian Treasury with identifying plaque (L). Plaque for the Restored Athenian Treasury at Delphi   Restored Athenian Treasury at Delphi

Naimah at the Omphalos (belly button or navel), The Center of the World at Delphi   The "Winged Sphinx", One of the Treasures at the Delphi Archeological Museum

Naimah (L) at the Omphalos (belly button or navel), designated as the center of the world at Delphi. (R) The "Winged Sphinx", one of the treasures at the Delphi Archeological Museum. This Sphinx of the Naxians was offered as a votive around 560 BCE.
One of the targets of our journey was to enter and tour in Albania, a once impossible country to visit. Here I am (L) entering the port of Saranda (Sarande), Albania (the Albanian national flag flying above my head). On top of the archeological site at Butrint, I stand under the watchful eye of Apollo and the Flag of Albania (R). Jerrold Patz Entering Sarande, Albania   Jerrold Patz On Top of the Archeological Site at Butrint, Under the Watchful Eye of Apollo and the Flag of Albania

Entry Gate to the UNESCO Site of Butrint, Albania   Map of the UNESCO Site of Butrint, Albania   Panorama of the UNESCO Site of Butrint, Albania

Aside from getting into the country, we focused on two aspects of Albania, the UNESCO site of Butrint and the post-communist building destruction. Butrint was inhabited since prehistoric times, was the site of a Greek colony, Roman city,  Byzantine bishopric, and Venetian occupation. It is one of the best archeological sites in Albania.
The Butrint complex was dedicated to Asclepius. (L) A map of the sanctuary complex, (C) a panorama of the complex, and (L) Jerry and Naimah at the 4th Century BCE sanctuary theater of Butrint. Map of the Sanctuary of Asclepius, Butrint, Albania   Wall of the Sanctuary of Asclepius, Butrint, Albania   Jerry and Naimah at the Sanctuary Theater of Butrint, Albania

Cascading Walls and Arches Surrounding the Butrint Site, Albania   Central Sanctuary Area, the Butrint Site, Albania   Detail of the Floor Mosaic, Central Sanctuary Area, the Butrint Site, Albania

Butrint was a large complex. (L) An overview of the cascading walls and arches protecting the site, (C) a view of the sanctuary central area, and (R) an uncovered detail of the rich floor mosaics now covered with plastic and sand to protect them.
Some samples of the building de-construction (destruction) in Albania. After the communist period, many buildings were erected without permits or inspections. Some collapsed and others are being destroyed. The scale of this destruction was unnerving and overwhelming. Building De-Construction in Albania   Building De-Construction in Albania

Jerrold Patz entering Montenegro (Crna Gora in the Montenegrin Language)   Main Gate into the City Walls of Kotor, Montenegro   Detail Carving on the inside edge of the Kotor Main Gate

(L) Jerrold Patz entering Montenegro (Crna Gora in the Montenegrin Language, both meaning 'black mountains'). (C) Main Gate into the city walls of Kotor, and (R) Detail on the inside edge of the main gate.
A typical street scene in Old Town Kotor (L), (C) part of the city walls that rise high into the hillside, and (R) a small, medieval church inside the Old Town. A Typical Street Scene in Old Town Kotor, Montenegro   Part of the City Walls that Rise High into the Montenegro Hillside   A Small, Medieval Church Inside Old Town Kotor

Naimah at the Top of the Kotor Bay Mountains with a View of Kotor Bay Behind Her    A Splendid Overview of the Small Old Town of Kotor, Montenegro

Naimah at the top of the Kotor Bay mountains with a view of Kotor Bay behind her (L) and (R) a splendid overview of the small old town of Kotor (all the red roofs).
A sea view of Our Lady of the Rocks, a man-made island (L) that holds an icon of special significance to Montenegro. The island was built by the townspeople one rock at a time. The second island houses a monastery. (R) Leaving the island cluster in Kotor Bay. A Sea View of Our Lady of the Rocks, a Man-Made Island   Leaving the Our Lady of the Rocks Island Cluster in Kotor Bay

Croatia 50 Kuna Banknote Showing the Old City of Dubrovnik

This is a Croatia 50 Kuna banknote showing the Old City of Dubrovnik and the Rector's Palace.
We approached Dubrovnik by sea and we able to capture these unusual angles (L + C) of the city. The new, single pier cable-stayed bridge (R) is new and connects parts of the new city together.  Approaching Dubrovnik by Sea   Approaching Dubrovnik by Sea   New, Single Pier Cable-Stayed Bridge Connects Parts of the New City Together

A Perfect Postcard View of the Walled City of Dubrovnik   A Perfect Postcard View of the Walled City of Dubrovnik   Jerry and Naimah Overlooking A Perfect Postcard View of the Walled City of Dubrovnik

This is the "money shot", the picture that we went to get. From a high vantage point, there is a perfect postcard view of the (L + C) Walled City of Dubrovnik. (R) A photo of us overlooking beautiful Dubrovnik.  jerrold patz naimah photo 

This is one of the main gates into the Walled City of Dubrovnik (L); a tranquil internal garden behind the ancient Pharmacy (C); and a side street that radiates off the main stradun (R). Main Gate into the Walled City of Dubrovnik   Tranquil Internal Garden Behind the Ancient Pharmacy, Dubrovnik   A Side Street that Radiates Off the Main Dubrovnik Stradum

Ornate Doorway to the Dubrovnik Museum   Plaque over the Doorway to the Rector's Office, Dubrovnik   Detailed View of Dubrovnik's Outside Wall Structure

The ornate doorway to the Dubrovnik Museum (L); a plaque over the doorway to the Rector's (prince/ruler) Office reminding him that he is to serve the people [the Latin translates as " forget private affairs, take care of public ones"] (C); and a detailed view of Dubrovnik's outside wall structure (R).
Changing of the Guard on the main street of Dubrovnik, the stradun (L). The main bell and clock tower in central Dubrovnik had an ancient digital readout correct to the quarter hour (local time shown is 11:15 -- XI + 15) (C), and the public drinking fountain near the west city gate (R). Changing of the Guard on the Main Street of Dubrovnik, the Stradun   The Main Bell and Clock Tower in Central Dubrovnik   A Public Drinking Fountain Near Dubrovnik's West City Gate

Jerrold Patz Landing on the Island Of Korcula [Republika Hrvatska is the Croatian language name for the Republic of Croatia]    Naimah Framing Herself on the Streets of Korcula   Marco Polo's Birthplace, Korcula's Claim to Fame

Jerrold Patz landing on the Island Of Korcula (L) [Republika Hrvatska is the Croatian language name for the Republic of Croatia] a small island whose main town is Korcula; Naimah framing herself on the Korcula streets (C); and (R) Marco Polo's birthplace, Korcula's claim to fame.
A panoramic overview of the town of Korcula. Our small ship (blue and white) can be seen at approximately 9 o'clock in the photo) (L); A picture of the majestic main city gate (C); and a wall carving showing the influence of Venice over the island (R). A Panoramic Overview of the Town of Korcula   The Majestic Main City Gate of Korcula   A Wall Carving Showing the Influence of Venice over the Island of Korcula

A Map Overview of the Small Island of Hvar   A Field of Lavender, One of Hvar's Major Industries   Outline of the Ancient Fortifications of Hvar Town

A map giving an overview of the small island of Hvar (L); a field of lavender, one of Hvar's major industries (C); and an outline of the ancient fortifications of Hvar Town (R).
Our group picture taken in harbor in the Bay of Kotor.
Naimah (black shirt) and I (red shirt) are near the far right.
 The first row contains tour guide Matt, the ship's captain, hotel manager and tour guide Petra. 		Group Picture Taken in Kotor Bay Harbor

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Here is a montage of additional pictures.

Mouse over any picture for a description. Click on any picture to expand it into a larger view.

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tourist attraction  "Jerrold Patz" "jerrold patz" patz naimah  corinth canal Corinth canal canal at Corinth butrinti Butrint Butrinti  war bunkers defensive bunkers military bunkers