the balkans
Covering from the Mediterranean sea up to the south of central Europe, the Balkan Peninsula consists of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, and the European part of Turkey. This ongoing project which aims to capture a glimpse of this diverse region.
Triglav
The only national park in Slovenia, Triglav was established in its current form in 1981. This area is part of the Alpine region stretching all the way from France to northwestern Slovenia. The great peaks of Mount Triglav serve to be the highest in the Julian Alps and the Rivers Soca and Sava feed the Black and Adriatic seas. Running the length of 138km from start to finish, the emerald waters of the Soca River are one of the many features of Triglav. The region also contains many lakes, from the famous Lake Bled to the beautiful and relatively unspoilt Lake Bohinj. The later boasts clear glacial waters encased by high valley walls. Further east the popular Lake Bled is picturesque, with crystal blue water, the famous castle and the iconic island beckoning visitors. Only a few hours south of Slovenia's national park lies the countries capital, Ljubljana. Along the myriad of streets lie some delightful and quirky cafes, bars and shops. A city of authenticity that resides on the banks of a river and sits below a historic castle.
crete
An ancient isle, the fifth largest island found within the mediterranean sea, surrounded by aquamarine waters. Its history is deeply embedded in their culture. It spans back to the Minoan civilisation as well as the Roman and the Ottoman Empire's. This Greek island is home to such warm and welcoming inhabitants who make the island what it is today. Margarites: A small village in the hills of the Rethymnon region of Crete, a rural community known for it dedication to pottery. Families often carry trades, skills passed down from generation to generation. This village is no different. This greek potter proudly carries that mantel which his father gave him, and his fathers father before him. Spinalonga: An island just of the coastline of mainland Crete. It is an place showed by intrigue, having featured in books and films due to this. This is not an natural island but was formed originally during the Venetian occupations as a military base, the island has gone on to become a leper colony started in 1903. The last inhabitant, a priest, left in 1962. The lepers appeared to have a rich community tougher, remnants of what was left are still visible on the island today. This island holds an air mystery from its varied past.
kotor
Situated on the coastline of Montenegro is the small town of Kotor. The old town was built between the 12th and 14th centuries and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Kotor is filled with history and medieval architecture, the old town is surrounded by city walls which has protected it for centuries. The tall building within the walls seem to replicate the height of the mountains in the surrounding bay. There are myriads of little alley ways and streets walked through for generations that give the town a real sense of history and permanence. Overlooking the town is the Castle of San Giovanni. It is steep climb above the town, up approximately 1,350 stairs to a height of 1,200 metres at the castle. Early in the morning the sunrises over the bay of Kotor and its surrounding mountains. From this hillside the patchwork of terracotta tiles showcase this old town Kotor.
vis
The isle of Vis, is as far as you can get from mainland Croatia. Boasting two main towns, Vis and Komiza, this island is known for its fishing community as well as vineyards. The myriad of little streets of these towns, hold the history or the land. This relativity unspoilt Mediterranean isle has seen many much in its past. It spent many years as a Yugoslavian military base, where foreign visitors were not allowed until 1989. Many of its in habitants have long family ties with the island, going back generations.
sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina's capital city Sarajevo with fusion at its core, this city boast a real variety of religion and of culture. This has been known for its long and rich history over the years, from WW1 to hosting the 1984 Winter Olympics and latterly at the centre of a civil war. The city still carries the scars of this conflict, both within the walls and the hearts of the people who lived through it. Sarajevo is now rebuilding its identity and forming into something new, some beautiful. Sarajevo has a variety of worship within the same neighbourhood, living in relative harmony. Within walking distance of each other a Catholic Church, mosque, Orthodox church and a synagogue living in relative harmony. Sarajevo was the first major city in Europe to have a variety of places of worship within the same neighbourhood until late the 20th century. Within the heart of the capital lies Gallery 11/07/95, an exhibition and memorial gallery. It commemorates the 8372 lives lost during the Srebrenica tragedy of 1995. This sobering exhibition gives documentary and artistic interpretation of the events that took place. Straddling the Neretva River, only a few hours south of Sarajevo is Mostar. Known for its medieval and iconic bridge, this now world heritage site was restored in after the conflict of the 1990's. Many scars from the conflict can still be seen down the winding city streets, away from the tourist attraction.
