Hello again, dear readers! I’m back with another travel blog post, this time about my trip to the former Yugoslavia coast, where I visited Montenegro, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This trip was a very different and enriching experience for me, as I learned a lot about the history, culture, and nature of this region. Let me share with you some of the highlights of my trip.
How I feel in the former Yugoslavia coast
The former Yugoslavia coast has a very familiar and cozy feel for me. The terrain is much more rugged and hilly than the rest of Europe, but the vegetation reminds me of Toscana, where I spent some of my childhood. The climate is also very pleasant, with warm and sunny days and cool and breezy nights. The people are very friendly and hospitable, and they always greet me with a smile and a “Dobar dan” (Good day).
What I see, smell, taste, and hear in the former Yugoslavia coast
The former Yugoslavia coast is a feast for the senses. The region has a rich and diverse culture that reflects its complex and turbulent history. Here are some of the things that caught my attention:
- The sights: The former Yugoslavia coast has some breathtaking scenery, with mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, and islands. The coast is dotted with charming towns and villages, each with its own character and history. Some of the most beautiful places that I visited are the Bay of Kotor (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Dubrovnik Old Town (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the Mostar Bridge (a symbol of peace and reconciliation).
- The smells: The former Yugoslavia coast has a distinctive smell that I find very refreshing and relaxing. It’s a mix of sea, pine, lavender, and rosemary. I noticed that many people grow herbs and flowers in their gardens and balconies, and they use them for cooking and decoration. They also make some delicious and fragrant products, such as olive oil, honey, and soap.
- The tastes: The former Yugoslavia coast is a paradise for food lovers. The region offers a wide range of cuisines, from Mediterranean to Balkan to Ottoman. Some of the local delicacies that I tried and loved are the cevapi (grilled minced meat), the burek (flaky pastry filled with cheese, meat, or spinach), the ajvar (red pepper spread), and the baklava (sweet pastry with nuts and syrup). Of course, I also enjoyed the fresh and tasty seafood, such as octopus, mussels, and fish.
- The sounds: The former Yugoslavia coast is a city that never sleeps. The region is always buzzing with music, laughter, and conversation. I enjoyed listening to the traditional and modern music, such as the sevdalinka (Bosnian folk music), the klapa (Croatian a cappella singing), and the turbo-folk (a fusion of folk and pop music). I also had the chance to attend some festivals and events, such as the Kotor Carnival, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, and the Sarajevo Film Festival.
Architectural Splendor in Dubrovnik Old Town
Dubrovnik Old Town is a true gem located on the coast of former Yugoslavia. It stands as a testament to centuries of architectural brilliance and design ingenuity. The walls surrounding this UNESCO World Heritage Site are medieval and formidable, and the town itself is a showcase of well-preserved Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. As you stroll through the limestone-paved streets, you’ll be captivated by the harmonious blend of red-roofed houses, grand palaces, and ornate churches. The Rector’s Palace and the Sponza Palace are two great examples of the city’s historical prosperity as a maritime hub. Dubrovnik’s design history is not limited to its buildings; the city’s layout is a masterpiece in itself, planned strategically to maximize defensive capabilities and aesthetic appeal. If you walk atop the city walls, you’ll be able to enjoy panoramic views and appreciate the meticulous urban planning that has shaped Dubrovnik’s timeless allure.
The Symbolism at the Mostar Bridge
The Mostar Bridge, an iconic structure spanning the Neretva River in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is not only a marvel of Ottoman architecture but also a poignant symbol of resilience and reconciliation. Completed in the 16th century by the Ottoman architect Mimar Hayruddin, the bridge exemplifies classical Ottoman design with its elegant arch and stone craftsmanship. The original bridge, unfortunately, succumbed to the ravages of war in the 1990s. However, its reconstruction in 2004, using traditional methods and materials, symbolized a collective effort to rebuild and heal. The Mostar Bridge serves as a testament to the endurance of cultural heritage and the ability of architecture to bridge divides, both physically and metaphorically. Its arched silhouette against the picturesque backdrop of Mostar stands as a reminder of the power of design to transcend historical scars and unite communities.
What I learned in the former Yugoslavia coast
The former Yugoslavia coast is a region that teaches me something new every day. I learned a lot about the history, culture, and politics of this region, which was once part of the socialist state of Yugoslavia, and later became the scene of a violent and tragic war. Here are some of the things that I learned:
- The former Yugoslavia was a federation of six republics (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia) and two autonomous provinces (Kosovo and Vojvodina). It was founded in 1945 by Josip Broz Tito, a communist leader and a national hero. It was a multiethnic and multireligious state, with a population of about 22 million people, belonging to various ethnic groups (such as Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Albanians, Slovenes, Macedonians, etc.) and religions (such as Orthodox Christianity, Catholicism, Islam, etc.).
- The former Yugoslavia collapsed in the early 1990s, after a series of nationalist and secessionist movements, and a series of wars that lasted until the late 1990s. The wars resulted in the death of about 140,000 people, the displacement of about 4 million people, and the destruction of many cities and towns. The wars also involved the intervention of the United Nations, the European Union, and the NATO. The wars ended with the Dayton Agreement in 1995, which ended the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Kumanovo Agreement in 1999, which ended the war in Kosovo.
- The former Yugoslavia coast is now divided into three independent and sovereign states: Montenegro, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Montenegro declared its independence from Serbia in 2006, after a referendum. Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, after a war. Bosnia and Herzegovina declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1992, after a war. The three states have different political systems, economic situations, and international relations. They are all members of the United Nations, and they are all candidates or potential candidates for joining the European Union.
What surprised me in the former Yugoslavia coast
The former Yugoslavia coast is a region that never ceases to amaze me. There are always some unexpected and interesting things to discover and experience. Here are some of the things that surprised me:
The history of war does not feel distant at all. I saw many signs of the war, such as bullet holes, shrapnel marks, and ruined buildings. I also heard many stories of the war, from the people who lived through it, and from the guides who explained it to me. I felt the pain and the trauma of the war, but also the hope and the resilience of the people.
The contrast between Christianity and Islam. I saw many churches and mosques, sometimes side by side, sometimes in the same city or town. I saw many people wearing crosses and hijabs, sometimes in the same family or group of friends. I saw many symbols and rituals of both religions, such as crosses, crescents, bells, and calls to prayer. I saw how both religions coexist and interact, sometimes in harmony, sometimes in conflict.
Cats… cats… cats, everywhere! I saw many cats on the former Yugoslavia coast, more than in any other place that I’ve visited. I saw cats of all colors, shapes, and sizes roaming the streets, sleeping on the roofs, and begging for food. I saw cats in the markets, in the cafes, and in the museums. I saw cats being fed, petted, and photographed by the locals and the tourists. I saw how cats are loved and respected by the people and how they are part of the culture and the identity of the region.
What I want to remember about the former Yugoslavia coast
The former Yugoslavia coast is a region that I will always remember with fondness and gratitude. It is a region that gave me a lot of joy, inspiration, and knowledge. It is a region that showed me the best and the worst of humanity, and the beauty and the diversity of the world. It is a region that I hope to visit again soon.
Here are some of the things that I want to remember about the former Yugoslavia coast:
- The culture: The culture of the former Yugoslavia coast is a fascinating blend of east and west, of old and new, of local and global. It is a culture that reflects the diversity and the complexity of the region, and that embraces the challenges and the opportunities of the present and the future. It is a culture that inspires me to explore more, to understand more, and to appreciate more.
- The nature: The nature of the former Yugoslavia coast is a stunning and majestic spectacle that fills me with awe and wonder. It is a nature that offers a variety of landscapes, colors, and sensations, and that invites me to enjoy and to respect. It is a nature that makes me feel alive and connected, and that reminds me of the beauty and the fragility of the planet.
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. And if you ever have the chance to visit the former Yugoslavia coast, don’t hesitate to do it. You won’t regret it. Trust me. ?
