We then walked back to the Franciscan Monastery which was also very interesting.  The monastery houses the inventory of the old Friars Minor Pharmacy from 1317, the well-preserved pharmacy furniture from the 16th century and the 15th and 16th century vases from Siena and Florence. Other exhibits include various presses, mortars, a 14th century still, manuscripts of recipes, precise scales, quarts, etc. In the Museum library there are valuable copies of manuscripts and chorales, as well as the valuable paintings by unknown masters, a 14th century head relic of St Ursula, and a collection of ex vuoto jewellery.

We then walked to the beautiful beach, enjoyed the sunshine, had a rest and a swim. The water was a little fresh but lovely all the same.

We then headed to the Museum of Contemporary and Modern Art which had some interesting sculptures, paintings and photography works. As always there was varied artworks which I always find interesting even though I don’t always understand them.

David headed home and as I walked back through town there was a performance by an orchestra with war pictures in the back ground. They were playing quite sombre and moving music. I watched this for a while and then headed back home for dinner.

I love being so close to the town as I was able to head back down there tonight to see the city under lights. David is still not well so he stayed home. The city was beautiful at night and the atmosphere was still celebratory. When I reached the stage in front of the Cathedral the performance was in full swing. There was a big crowd an dthe music was quite upbeat, with people in the crowds singing along. It had a really good vibe. I watched again for a while and then headed back home.

“The Rector’s Palace – One of the most significant monuments of profane architecture on the Croatian coast, the Rectors Palace, was the administrative centre of the Dubrovnik Republic. Its style is basically Gothic, with the Renaissance and Baroque reconstructions. Today the Rectors Palace houses the Cultural-historic Department of the Dubrovnik Museum with exhibition halls arranged to display the original setting with antique furniture and objects for daily use, as well as paintings by local and Italian masters. The Museum also guards a collection of old coins used in the Dubrovnik Republic, a collection of arms and utensils of Domus Christi Pharmacy from the 15th century. Apart from being exceptionally beautiful, the Rectors Palace Atrium has excellent acoustics, and is often used as a concert venue.”

“The Siege of Dubrovnik kicked off at around 6am on 1 October 1991 when the Yugo=slav Army (JNA) started their advance on the territory between the Pelješac and Prevlaka peninsulas on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The JNA attacks and bombardment of Dubrovnik, including the Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – culminated on 6 December 1991 with 430 soldiers and 116 civilians killed. 2,127 homes were burnt in the Dubrovnik county, with 7,771 people left homeless. As many as 33,000 had to flee their homes during the siege and the JNA attacks. The bombardment provoked a strong international condemnation of the JNA and became a public relations disaster for Serbia and Montenegro, contributing to their diplomatic and economic isolation and international recognition of the independence of Croatia.”