Dubrovnik Bans Sitting on Iconic Steps

The news in Croatian

1. zabraniti
   Ne dopustiti raditi nešto. ↩︎
2. baština  (f.)
   Naslijeđena kulturna ili povijesna dobra. ↩︎
3. spriječiti
   Učiniti da se nešto ne dogodi. ↩︎
4. gužva  (f.)
   Situacija kada ima previše ljudi na jednom mjestu. ↩︎
5. uporan
   Onaj koji ne odustaje lako. ↩︎
6. prekršitelj  (m.)
   Osoba koja krši pravila ili zakon. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: Who made the decision to ban sitting on the steps in Dubrovnik?

Question 2: What might happen to visitors who repeatedly sit on the steps despite the ban?

Vocabulary

Croatian	English
zabraniti	forbid
baština  (f.)	heritage
spriječiti	prevent
gužva  (f.)	crowd
uporan	persistent
prekršitelj  (m.)	offender

Read the full story

The renowned steps in the historic centre of Dubrovnik are set to undergo a significant change with the city announcing a ban on sitting, a decision met with a mix of understanding and concern. These steps, particularly those leading up to the Church of St Blaise and the famed Jesuit stairs, are symbolic landmarks that have captured the hearts of tourists and residents alike.

The decision, spearheaded by Dubrovnik’s mayor, Mato Franković, aims to safeguard the city’s cultural heritage and ensure the smooth movement of both locals and visitors. “By introducing this ban, we aim to foster sustainability and respect for the historical core,” explained Franković. He emphasized the inappropriate nature of sitting on these steps, especially when they are used as makeshift dining spots for tourists enjoying sandwiches or other food.

The city’s administration has expressed concerns over the increased congestion and the potential damage to this heritage due to the heavy foot traffic. By prohibiting sitting, they hope to preserve the aesthetic and functional integrity of these historic sites, reducing the bottlenecks that frequently occur during peak tourist seasons.

As part of this new regulation, initial attempts to enforce compliance will involve verbal warnings to those who sit on the steps. Persistent violators will face fines as a further deterrent. The city’s leadership believes this measure will enhance the experience for all visitors while maintaining the dignity of Dubrovnik’s architectural treasures.

These steps are not merely stepping stones but crucial elements of Dubrovnik’s identity, blending sacred spaces with the city’s urban rhythm. Despite the controversy, the local government is optimistic that these changes will strike a balanced approach between preservation and accessibility.

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