Photographic Guide to Dubrovnik

A Franciscan monastery towers over the Placa, the main limestone-paved street that runs through the historic Old Town of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

The prosperity of Dubrovnik historically was based on maritime trade, particularly during the 15th and 16th centuries when the city became notable for its wealth and skilled diplomacy.

Sponza Palace was Dubrovnik's customs office and now houses an exhibit of photos of those who lost their lives during the bitter 1991-92 seige.

Jars store preserved loquats, edible antique rose petals with sugar and grappa (used to make rose petal liqueur), young pine cone syrup, and preserved sour cherries at the Villa Vatikan bed and breakfast in Trpanj.

The medieval town is encircled by 80-foot-tall stone walls that received numerous additions and modifications throughout their history, but still retain their original character dating to the 12th century.

Split by two main rivers Ljuta and the Konavočica, the Konavle valley southeast of Dubrovnik holds vineyards, olive groves, and fragrant tangerines, figs, and mulberries hanging from fruit trees.

Chickens enjoy a meal on the Bede family farm.

Guarding the sea surrounding Trpanj, a statue of the Virgin Mary reflects the predominately Catholic country.

All fresh and local, this shellfish platter on ice includes sea eggs, sea urchins, Dubrovnik deep water prawns, wild oysters, wild mussels, Noah's Ark shell, limpets, and just one Coquilles St Jacques.

Narrow, steep streets create a maze in Dubrovnik's historic center.

The sun sets over Dubrovnik and the Elaphiti islands, a small archipelago in the distance.

Nicknamed the "Pearl of the Adriatic," Dubrovnik became an important Mediterranean sea power in the 13th century. Dubrovnik manages to preserve its Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque buiildings, despite damage by an earthquake in 1667 and armed conflict in the 1990s.