At 4:00 p.m., we met Professor Kate at the Onofrio Fountain for a tour of some of the monasteries and museums in Old Town. Thankfully we were in shade or inside for part of the tour.
Our first stop was the Franciscan monastery with its cloisters flanked by Renaissance columns. Again, we are so lucky to have Professor Kate as a personal tourguide for all the history Old Town holds. There was an original painting, as well as a copy, in the musuem of what Old Town looked like before the earthquake of 1667. The original painting and many other treasures were inside a special room where no cameras were allowed, unfortunately.
Inside the special room were robes worn by the priests with intricate and magnificent embroidery. There were ornate chalices, relics, paintings and icons and jewelry... rows and rows of jewelry. Cathy was puzzled; why would Franciscan monks have earrings and rings with diamonds and pearls and precious stones? Well, many families donated their possessions to the church for favors or special prayers... mystery solved. The Franciscan monastery also currently houses a pharmacy; in the museum there were weights and scales and prescription 'recipes' displayed as well.
Onward to the Dominican monastery, which houses one of the more extensive collections of art and relics in Dubrovnik. The cloisters (hallways where the monks and friars walked and mediated and communed with nature) contain pillars with more of a Gothic influence. Within the cloisters was a small yard with a well head and a lemon tree that produces fruit the size of grapefruits, but none were available at that moment. The church itself was incredible, a high arch above a very simple altar, with a more ornate altar to the side.
Next stop was another church which was actually rebuilt twice; the original just discovered beneath the second and third rebuildings only recently. Professor Kate said the history books will have to be rewritten to include these new findings. We weren't able to stay in the church very long, (and in many of the churches we could not take pictures because of the value of the artwork inside) because some of the students were not appropriately dressed. (not appropriate being defined as tank tops and shorts... they take their religion very seriously here).
Onward to the last few stops; a fountain that was partially destroyed during the war and then restored thanks to contributions from a group of German people. Then onto the Jesuit church and college, with steps (oh no, more steps!)... St. Ignatius was amazing. I wish I could have taken pictures of the frescos painted around and over the altar; since I couldn't, I've attached a link which will show you, but it pales in comparison to the real thing. There is a college right next door, where students have a rigorous curriculum of Latin and other difficult subjects. http://www.triptouch.com/croatia/dubrovnik/photos/1113
Our last stop was the Rector's Palace and we were only able to walk in just a little way. It used to house the Rector who was elected for a one-month term during Roman times. They didn't want people getting too comfortable, or corrupt, during their tenure, so there was constant turnover. Within the palace is one bronze statue of a sea captain, considered unique for the time. Normally there were no statues recognizing citizens and such, but this sea captain had donated all of his wealth to the government and the statue was the town's way of showing their appreciation.
Well, that concludes the tour of Old Town for today. Please return your trays and seats to the upright position and stay tuned for our next adventure, touring the vineyards of Peljesac.
mir.. a & c
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