Aristocratic, defiant, aging mistress of the Adriatic, elegant still, her imperious look defying the ravages of time and history.  Cold as dawn, sharp as glass, rich with privilege she carries in her bones renaissance memories, of palaces and princes.  Secreted behind a crumbling facade, enlivened by pink glass, she is vulnerable to the sea that once brought her silk, spices and all the perfumes of Arabia.