The Balkan Poetry Route: From the Blue Danube of Budapest to the Red-Roofed Walls of Dubrovnik
Starting from the Chain Bridge in Budapest, passing through the morning mist of Lake Balaton, the Gothic spires of Zagreb quietly rise from the gray rooftops; watching the forest shatter into glass shards in the lake light of Plitvice, and closing your eyes in front of the sea organ in Zadar, letting the waves play an ancient melody without end.
Croatia's coastline is picturesque, everyday life still exists in the ancient Roman palaces of Split, and the fantasy of Game of Thrones intertwines with reality on the walls of Dubrovnik; further into Bosnia and Herzegovina, an ancient bridge called Mostar spans mountains, rivers, and faith, and in Sarajevo, the embers of Eastern and Western civilizations still quietly converge.
This is not a fleeting "Eastern European sketch," but rather a slow, gentle exploration of the winds and the warmth of the stones at the crossroads of civilizations, following the cracks and fissures of the former Yugoslavia.
Budapest | Echoes of the Blue Danube City
Buda and Pest face each other across the river, the Chain Bridge like a whispering string, tightly binding the two cities with such contrasting personalities together. Fisherman's Bastion on Castle Hill gleams golden in the morning light; standing there and looking across the water, the Parliament Building's reflection spreads out like a watercolor painting.
Here, every bridge leads to a legend; and in Pécs' Echoes, Roman ruins, Ottoman domes, and modern architecture coexist, as if the city is telling an unfinished symphony. At dusk, soak in a centuries-old Turkish bath, letting the gentle waters wash away the fatigue of your journey. A glass of sweet wine and a lamp illuminate the night in Budapest.
Recommended activities: Fisherman's Bastion, Chain Bridge night view, Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Buda Castle Mountain cable car
Zagreb | Enjoy a glass of red wine beneath Gothic spires
The story of Zagreb begins with the sound of tram bells in Jelacicca Square. The cobblestone streets of the old town gently ascend the hillside, and around the corner lies St. Mark's Church—its patchwork of colorful rooftops like the cover of a fairy tale, inlaid with Croatian history and glory.
Time seems to flow in two rhythms in the city: the bustling crowds in the square represent modernity, while the churches and bell towers stand quietly, embodying the past. You can order a glass of local red wine at an open-air restaurant on a street corner and watch street performers sing folk songs under the ancient streetlights. After nightfall, Zagreb exudes a subtle solitude and elegance, like an old woman wearing a silk scarf, softly recounting the past.
Recommended stops/activities: St. Mark's Basilica, Zagreb Cathedral, Jelaciccia Square, Museum of Broken Relationships
Plitvice, Lake District: A Serene Concerto of Green and Blue
It is the most serene and beautiful part of Croatia, and a masterpiece of nature's unadorned artistry. Sixteen lakes are cascading down the mountainside, connected by waterfalls and streams. Azure, emerald green, milky white—the water's hues constantly shift under the sunlight, like a drop of divine light accidentally spilled from a divine palette.
Strolling along the wooden boardwalk, the waterfall whispers, the mountain breeze rustles the leaves, and only your own breath accompanies you. The lake reflects the juncture of mountains and sky, and the submerged wood, encased in minerals, resembles a sculpture, as if time itself has fallen asleep at the bottom. Here, there is no commercial clamor, only a tranquil symphony played by nature just for you.
Recommended activities: Full-scale hiking in the lake area, boat trip, viewing waterfalls in the lower lake area, and taking photos of reflections.
Zadar | Listen to the sea breeze play an endless melody.
Ancient and future converge in Zadar, creating a poem. Standing on the stone steps by the sea, you can hear the "Adriatic Organ" reciting its deep scales with the waves—it has no melody, yet it penetrates the soul more deeply than any musical movement. Every surge of the waves is an unrepeatable performance.
The adjacent "Solar Plaza" is composed of three hundred solar panels, absorbing sunlight during the day and spreading out like a galaxy at night. The city itself is similar: by day you see ancient Roman squares, churches, and medieval city gates, while at night it is adorned like a harbor bride about to dance. You can simply sit by the sea and watch the sunset slowly sink below the horizon, and it's as if the world quiets down with it.
Recommended stops: Sea Organ, Sun Plaza for sunset viewing, stroll through the old town, St. Donatello Church.
Split | Having breakfast in an ancient Roman palace
If the history of other cities is housed in museums, then the history of Split is life itself. Diocletian's Palace has stood here since 305 AD, and today it is not a cold, lifeless ruin, but a whole living district: people drink coffee in front of the Hall of a Hundred Columns, people sell fruits and vegetables under the centuries-old arcades, and cats lazily lie on the columns basking in the sun.
The palace's grey and white stone walls reflect the Adriatic sunlight, and the narrow streets are full of stories. Here, you can touch the true "lingering charm of Rome": the visible ruins and the everyday breaths of the streets. Nowhere else can the grandeur and the ordinary blend so naturally.
Recommended stops/activities: Diocletian's Palace, Market Square, climbing the Clock Tower, and checking out the cafes in the alleyways.
Dubrovnik | A Game of Thrones Dream Atop Red Roofs
This city, with its rows of orange-red rooftops, resembles solidified lava after a volcanic eruption, or a sleeping ruby. Dubrovnik is the inspiration for King's Landing in the TV series "Game of Thrones," but its reality is far more profound than what's depicted on screen: defensive towers, cannons, city walls, monasteries—everywhere tells the story of how it emerged from war and how it rekindled the flame of life.
Boarding the cable car at dawn, the entire city and coastline unfold before your eyes, the past and present intertwined beneath the shimmering water. As George Bernard Shaw said, "If heaven is on earth, it is in Dubrovnik." Amidst these red-tiled roofs, we rediscovered the power of looking up and imagining.
Recommended stops/activities: Climb the city walls to circle the entire city, take the cable car to overlook the harbor, visit the Franciscan monastery, and freely wander around the old city square.
Mostar | A bridge connecting two worlds
The Old Bridge is the soul of Mostar. Like a crescent moon, it hangs high above the turquoise Neretva River, connecting the two banks of the city, and also connecting long-divided beliefs, cultures, and emotions.
By day, Mostar is bathed in sunlight, with travelers strolling slowly across the bridges and brave adventurers leaping into the river below. The Ottoman-style houses, mosque domes, and church spires along the riverbanks create a breathtaking scene, as if a world map has been folded into this small town. At dusk, the aroma of roasted lamb and strong coffee wafts from the town's alleyways—a deep yet gentle presence, reminding you that even in hardship, life can still be lived with tenderness.
Recommended stops: Sightseeing at Stari Bridge (Old Bridge), strolling through the old town, climbing the minaret of the mosque, and trying the barbecue restaurant near the bridge.
Sarajevo: Reborn at the Gap Between Eastern and Western Cultures
Sarajevo is a city nestled between valleys. It lacks the grandeur of Budapest and the dazzling beauty of Dubrovnik, but possesses a quiet and understated strength. It was the site of the spark that ignited World War I and also witnessed the ravages of the Bosnian War. Walking along the city's main streets, a brickwork line underfoot reads "The Crossroads of Eastern and Western Cultures," each step a step across a different time zone of civilization.
You'll find Gothic churches alongside Ottoman-style mosques, and the silent monument commemorating the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand lying on the Latin Bridge. Deep in the Balkans' memory, this city is like a seed, broken yet tenacious, blossoming into flowers of peace and forbearance. Sarajevo teaches us: history cannot be forgotten, but it can be gently preserved.
Recommended stops/activities: Latin Bridge, East-West Cultural Crossroads, Old Bazaar Mosque Area, Museum of Childhood Wars.
Pécs | Time and Art in a Valley Dialogue
Nestled in southern Hungary, Pécs is a city where poetry and philosophy coexist. Lacking the hustle and bustle of the capital, it boasts an unparalleled cultural density. Here you'll find Roman ruins and Ottoman mosques, as well as Renaissance cathedrals and modern art centers. It's an architectural history book, and also a quiet university town.
Walking into Page's old town, past colorful ceramic-decorated walls and old bookstores, you'll sense a quiet yet steadfast spirit. The four towers of St. Stephen's Cathedral have guarded this small town for centuries, while performances in the open-air theater, street artists' sketches, and dried flowers drying on windowsills all tell tales of the city's gentle daily life. Page is a way of life; you don't need to rush through it, just breathe in the tranquility.
Recommended stops/activities: St. István Cathedral, Ceramics Street, Dome Museum of Mosques, Page Museum of Modern Art.
