The Walls of Dubrovnik
The Croatian city of Dubrovnik has a series if defensive stone walls and towers, a Mediterranean fortress overlooking the sea. They surround and protect what has been a glorious maritime city since before the Middle Ages, now a superb touristic attraction with a Mediterranean Renaissance aura. The walls of Dubrovnik live up to the glory of the prosperous and sophisticated city, flourishing in peace, since they have never been breached by hostile armies throughout the Middle Ages. Along with the buildings of the city, the great fortification system is designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Dubrovnik prides on a very complex fortification system, one of the largest and most complete in Europe. The present stone walls were built during the 12th to 17th centuries as an uninterrupted double defense line. It was reinforced by 3 circular and 14 square towers, 5 bastions, 2 angular fortifications and by the large St. John's fortress. Further 9 semicircular bastions were added, as well as the casemate Fort Bokar, the oldest preserved fort of its kind, in Europe. A moat surrounded the city walls, armed by more than 120 cannons.
The town is accessible through 4 city gates, 2 leading to the harbor and 2 drawbridge gates towards the mainland.
The Pila Gate complex features multiple doors, located behind fort Bokar. A stone bridge spans between 2 15th century Gothic arches. A statue of patron Saint Blaise with a model of the Renaissance city guards the main gateway.
The second major entrance to the city, the Ploca Gate, is situated on the east side, protected by the strong Revelin fortress and featuring a wooden drawbridge and a twin spanned stone bridge over a ditch. Another statue of Saint Blaise protects this bridge complex.
The walls on the sea facing side of the fortress are additions to the strong natural fortification provided by the cliffs fringing the edge of the bay.
The most prominent point of the fortress is the impressive Minceta Tower, on the northwestern side. It was built originally square and was later added a new round tower with scarp walls and battlements. It offers an unforgettable view of the city.
The two story Fort Bokar is cylindrical in volume and acts as the second hey point in defending the west side. The structure, with a flawless and harmonious complementarity of shape and function, is said to be the oldest casemated fortress in Europe and contains a lapidary collection and a collection of cannons.
While the Revelin fortress was meant to defend the citadel against Turkish danger, the monumental St. John's fortress prevented the access of pirates and enemy ships.
An ideal time to visit the city of Dubrovnik is the Dubrovnik summer festival, between July 10 and August 25, when the monumental walls of the Renaissance-Baroque city house a rich programme of classical music, opera, theatre and dance.
