Depending on climate conditions, the agave blooms once in

ten, forty or a hundred years.

And then, at its peak of beauty and luxuriance, it dies.

Towards the end of its life, the agave’s stalks can be more than

seven metres high, as if they are nobly defying their inevitable

fate. Mother Nature made sure, though, that the plant leaves

something behind for the future, because before it dies, the

agave releases seeds that will bear life once again.

Once upon a time

a known explorer and archaeologist,

decided to settle down in Dubrovnik.

a known explorer and archaeologist,

decided to settle down in Dubrovnik.

He began to build a house,

on a cliff facing the sea

and the old city.

He began to build a house,

and the old city.

He worked from the heart and was paced by the wind and rain. Stone by stone

and tree by tree, he picked each carefully as one would pick one’s own friends.

It seemed as though each ancient piece, each relic he collected on his quest for

knowledge had decided to end its journey at this exact spot and fully surrender to

the tranquil surroundings.

He worked from the heart and was paced by the wind and rain. Stone by stone

and tree by tree, he picked each carefully as one would pick one’s own friends.

It seemed as though each ancient piece, each relic he collected on his quest for

knowledge had decided to end its journey at this exact spot and fully surrender to

As a true explorer and archaeologist he

admired the order of nature and used its ways

to complement his new home. He left a stone

canvas for the waves to carve their stories on,

a window for a horizon

to come to and sooth its loneliness…

As a true explorer and archaeologist he

admired the order of nature and used its ways

to complement his new home. He left a stone

canvas for the waves to carve their stories on,

to come to and sooth its loneliness…

Clouds came to visit each morning, delivering news

from the lands he was no stranger to

and occasional advice on how to best

humour the sun and the shade.

Friends came to offer a hand and ask for advice.

Children brought water in exchange for stories

of mysteries and discovery.

Clouds came to visit each morning, delivering news

from the lands he was no stranger to

and occasional advice on how to best

Friends came to offer a hand and ask for advice.

Children brought water in exchange for stories

of mysteries and discovery.

He worked passionately during the day, piecing

memories and freeing emotions, and rested at

evenings to collect thoughts and

disperse in visions.

He worked passionately during the day, piecing

memories and freeing emotions, and rested at

evenings to collect thoughts and

When the moon peeked in late at night, the man greeted

him warmly. They talked about ebbs and tides,

time and friendship,

unburdened by each other’s size and significance.

When the moon peeked in late at night, the man greeted

him warmly. They talked about ebbs and tides,

unburdened by each other’s size and significance.

The house was finished on the first

day of summer. It was a

quiet, peaceful

morning and people slept late.

The house was finished on the first

day of summer. It was a

morning and people slept late.

It seemed that

nature held its breath

for a second, in admiration

for the work of one man.

It seemed that

for a second, in admiration

for the work of one man.

It was the day

the agave flowers blossomed,

the first and the last time in a

hundred years.

It was the day

the first and the last time in a

hundred years.

Dubrovnik was always in Sir Arthur’s heart…

Admiration for history, passionate search for

new truths, a kind way with people, bravery to face challenges…

woven in a house on

a cliff facing the sea

and the old city.

Dubrovnik was always in Sir Arthur’s heart…

Admiration for history, passionate search for

new truths, a kind way with people, bravery to face challenges…

woven in a house on

and the old city.

„Dubrovnik was once a famous Republic – and then it lived quietly for a long

time, resting with its memories. That was when I met it. Today Dubrovnik bursts

with life as a result of the countless cheerful tourists visiting it .This contributes significantly to its prosperity. It also gives it a beautiful,

contemporary look. But I prefer the quiet, poor Dubrovnik, of my day…“

Quote from the article “With Sir A. Evans at Mons. Bulić’s”, Novo doba, 20 June 1932.