Heritage: The Balkans

First broadcast August 2007

The Balkan Wars of the 1990s left many Balkan cities and historic buildings in ruins.

Archaeological broadcaster and writer Malcolm Billings visits key sites in the region and finds out how reconstruction projects are restoring its cultural heritage.

Part 2: Dubrovnik, Croatia

 Listen to the programme

Serbian gun boats in the Adriatic inflicted great damage on the medieval city of Dubrovnik in 1991/2. The Franciscan monastery with its library was hit many times.

Known as the 'Pearl of the Adriatic', Dubrovnik was also under siege from the land. Dozens of buildings that we burnt out have been rebuilt. Three and a half million roof tiles have been replaced.

Malcolm billings meets the architect in charge and talks to Dubrovnikans who risked their lives to repair roofs during the bombardment.

We hear from people who survived the siege how that react to tourists from the Balkan countries that provided the army that besieged Dubrovnik.

The city has faced many threats in it's 1,000 year old history, but the latest threat is mass tourism. We hear how the mayor of Dubrovnik hopes to protect the city's architectural heritage and the truth behind the claim that this Adriatic city state was the first in Europe to recognize American Independence in 1776.

Series Producer: Brigid O'Hara; Executive Producer: Anthony Rendell.

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