One of the highlights of visiting Dubrovnik was walking along the city's ancient walls.  Dubrovnik is one of the best-reserved medieval walled cities in the world.  The walk along the old walls was approximately one mile with lots of ups and downs.  The walls were built in the 14th century and served as a defensive structure to protect the city.  We admired breathtaking views of the port and Old Town as well as the beautiful blue colours of the Adriatic Sea.  The city walls have been restored several times in history to resemble their original appearance.  

20150527_Ecuador_0001 This photograph was taken in the morning as we made our way towards the old town of Dubrovnik.  Roman found a parking lot that we used for going into the old town.  From there we walked down the hill to the entrance and then back up again each day.  The shot above was an early morning shot overlooking the walled city.  

20150527_Ecuador_0003 The city-state of Dubrovnik (Ragusa) was founded prior to the 7th century as a Byzantium carts (plots of land or buildings constructed for use as a military defensive position) on a rocky island named Laus.  

20150527_Ecuador_0002 With numerous additions and modifications through their history, they have been considered to be amongst the great fortification systems of the Middle Ages as they were never breached by a hostile army during that time period.  In 1979, the old city of Dubrovnik, which includes a substantial portion of the old walls of Dubrovnik, joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.  

20150527_Ecuador_0007 Before going to the start of the walk of the walls, we headed down to the beach area to get a different view of Dubrovnik.  Even though this is a busy port area with lots of boating, the water was crystal clear.  

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20150527_Ecuador_0010 It would have been great to have sailed around the old town if we had  time.

20150527_Ecuador_0011 This looked like a fun way to see the sights.

20150527_Ecuador_0013 Now were were on our way to find the start of the walk along the walls.

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Starting the climb up.

20150527_Ecuador_0020 One of our first views overlooking the city from the wall.  

20150527_Ecuador_0021 The views just got better and better.

20150527_Ecuador_0023 The red roofs of the old town.

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Looking down at one of the streets.

20150527_Ecuador_0029 I did get carried away with taking photos but the views were so beautiful.  You can see all of the people walking on the wall along the water.  It cost around $20 to do the walk which probably discouraged some tourists.  So although it was busy, it wasn't overly crowded.  Yes the water really did look this blue. 

20150527_Ecuador_0033 St. Lawrence Fortress.  The walls of St. Lawrence Fortress exposed to enemy fire are almost 12 metres (39 ft) thick.

20150527_Ecuador_0034 A close up view of one of the roofs and windows.

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20150527_Ecuador_0047 A view of one of the local islands next to Dubrovnik.  Next up more views from the walls.