Travels with Tricia

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Photo du Jour: The Red Balloon – Šibenik, Croatia

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Tricia A. Mitchell

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A young girl, carrying a cherry-colored balloon, explores the entrance to the Cathedral of Saint James in Šibenik, Croatia, as lion statues seemingly look on. During our café break, across the square from the cathedral, we actually saw a steady stream of local little ones climbing atop the lions and playing hide & seek.

This Gothic and Renaissance cathedral was built completely out of stone between 1431-1535. Its history and architectural style was influenced by 15th and 16th century art movements of northern Italy, Dalmatia, and Tuscany.

The cathedral roof sustained considerable damage during the six-day shelling of Šibenik in 1991, following the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. The structure has since been repaired and in 2000, it was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Where in the World?

Photography & text © Tricia A. Mitchell. All Rights Reserved.

Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

About the author

Hi! My name is Tricia Mitchell. I delight in telling stories about my slow travels through more than 65 countries. Some of my highlights have included sharing meals with locals in Armenia, Cambodia, and Tunisia; sipping sparkling wine with French cousins in Alsace; milking goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village; and training with a Japanese mine-clearance team in Laos. My husband, Shawn, and I are based in France’s Loire Valley.

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18 responses to “Photo du Jour: The Red Balloon – Šibenik, Croatia”

  1. belocchio Avatar
    belocchio

    I love the red balloon carrying girl. Perhaps she is the alter ego of Tricia – exploring the world. XX V.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Virginia, my aunt did say that my grandfather and I have had that effect on my cousin, who’s developing wanderlust at a young age. :)

      Reply
  2. restlessjo Avatar
    restlessjo

    Definitely pussy cats, Tricia. They look good and ready to play :)

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Indeed, as Lynne noted below, there have definitely been generations who’ve played on those steps and sculptures!

      Reply
  3. travelerlynne Avatar
    travelerlynne

    I love the contrast of the child and red balloon against this huge cathedral entrance. Lots of generations have walked through those doors and played on its steps.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Very true. The fact that the cathedral is still so intact speaks to the skilled artisans who built it. I wonder if children growing up (and playing in) such ancient places take all the nooks and crannies for granted?

      Reply
  4. Darlene Avatar
    Darlene

    What a cool picture!

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Thanks, Darlene. It was fun watching scenes unfold, with the cathedral’s wall as the canvas. :)

      Reply
  5. CitraGran Cibubur Avatar
    CitraGran Cibubur

    Reblogged this on CitraGran Cibubur.

    Reply
  6. Tina Schell Avatar
    Tina Schell

    Wonderful capture. Visited there a few years ago, so much sadness. So happy they have peace.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Tina, I agree. Seeing the city largely restored now, it’s hard to imagine that it was once the scene of intense shelling. Did you make it inside the cathedral? It was closed during our visit and I’m curious what it was like. Seeing all the brilliantly-carved faces on the outside certainly kept us occupied for a while, though.

      Reply
  7. corneliaweberphotography Avatar
    corneliaweberphotography

    Love the image Tricia !!!! Red balloons have been always something very intriguing for me, don’t know exactly why, a childhood thing I guess! Have you ever seen that famous old movie, “The Red Balloon”, it is French I believe and it is so .

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Cornelia, thank you for your comment and for reminding me of the French film. I’ve seen snippets of it – it’s a classic shot in Paris, right? Ever since we went on a hot air balloon ride over France’s Loire Valley balloons have taken on new symbolism. :)

      Reply
  8. rigmover Avatar
    rigmover

    A very nice capture, well done Tricia.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Thank you, Mark. So, you’ve just recently been to Bruges? It’s a shutterbug’s paradise, isn’t it?

      Reply
      1. rigmover Avatar
        rigmover

        It sure is.

  9. Viviane BauquetFarre (@foodandstyle) Avatar
    Viviane BauquetFarre (@foodandstyle)

    Tricia, the photo of the red balloon is very evocative… Love it!

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Merci, Viviane. As Cornelia noted, it is reminiscent of the French film of the same name. :)
      Wish you a splendid weekend!

      Reply