Random Remembrances of Croatia

This is the admonition that was posted outside the church of St. Mark's (all the churches in Croatia seemed to be named for St. Mark, reflecting the Venetian influence) on the island of Kortula. Interestingly, it's in English. Guess they figured that English speaking tourists are less likely to know how to behave than the Croatians! When we were in Zadar, we watched an official at the cathedral chase out several women tourists with bare shoulders and skimpy shorts or bathing suits. In Dubrovnik the main church (St. Basil's) had shawls on hand. Good for them, say I.

At the convent of St. Mary's in Zadar, we toured the museum full of reliquaries that is attached to the convent. A most formidable nun in full traditional habit sternly watched our small group tour the first floor. However on the second floor we spotted a much younger nun, also in full habit, playing with her cellphone! I would have loved a photo of that scene, but no cameras were allowed inside.

Zadar also has a unique feature on its waterfront---a sea organ! An architect designed and installed organ pipes that take in the water from the waves of the Adriatic. When the water is choppy you hear the pipes making music which sounds like blowing over bottles filled with different levels of water. It really fascinated all the kids who clustered around it listening to the sound.

The ruins of the palace of Diocletian are in Split, Croatia, near the harbor. We were amazed to see that people are living among the ruins in apartments on the site that are built into the remaining walls. There is a large cathedral there that was originally the Temple of Jupiter. and contained Diocletian's tomb.

Today the cathedral, which is named--you guessed it--for St. Mark, and contains the relics of the Christian bishop executed by Diocletian. Much of the area inside the walls of the old palace now contains shops and restaurants. There was a long line forming outside a book shop which our guide explained was selling school books.