The Dubrovnik City Walls – Most Representative City Symbol!
The Dubrovnik City Walls are one of the most representative symbols of the old city of Dubrovnik. Completely preserved until today, the spectacular beauty and elegance leave many foreign and domestic visitors breathless. By visiting them, the tourists experience the ambience of the time the walls were built. Today’s enclosure of the Dubrovnik City Walls was systematically constructed from 13th century all the way to 1660′s. Through the later history, the Dubrovnik City Walls were constantly adapted and modernized according to innovations in military development, always been able to resist to the enemy’s attacks. In total, they are 1940m long, and are composed of the city wall, sixteen towers, three fortresses, two angle forts, three front walls with a number of small towers, three moats, two city drawbridges, and two outside fortresses.
A City Surrounded by 2 km (6365 ft.) of Stone Walls.
Many domestic and foreign builders were involved in the construction of the Dubrovnik City Walls. An interesting law passed during these periods tells us, that during the huge construction projects, each person that was coming to the town had to bring a stone with him. Putting the Dubrovnik’s city walls into the context of the world’s cultural heritage, we could say that Europe can be proud of having one of the rare pearls of a very well preserved architectural heritage of the medieval times.
Third Most Completely Preserved Walls in the World.
After the Great Wall of China and the high walls of the town of “Ston” (60 km north of Dubrovnik), Dubrovnik City Walls take the third place according to the size of the completely preserved Walls. Many other European cities also have city walls, but the industrial development and the expansion of cities in the second half of the 19th century had a consequence of destroying city walls so such towns could increase in size. Dubrovnik was lucky in this matter, because the town’s development in that period happened outside of the old city core, and that’s how the Dubrovnik City Walls remained preserved until today. Founded in 1952, the Association of the Friends of Dubrovnik’s antiquities is taking care of the city walls. Back then, they managed to raise the wider public awareness of Dubrovnik’s cultural and historical heritage. The association is trying to maintain awareness, interest, proudness, and love for the cultural and historical heritage of the old city Dubrovnik. All, for such responsibilities to be passed on to younger generations and those yet to come.
One of three Main Gates to get in the City Walls.
There are three entrances to the city. The first one is close to the “Pile” gate, by the big Onofrio’s fountain. The other one next to the fortress of St. John and the third one close to the fortress of St. Luke. Visitors to the Walls are surveyed, which of the two, is the more beautiful one.
I’m definitely for the first entrance, the one called “Pile” gate. Why? This entrance is situated at the beginning of the main “Stradun” street.
The Main Promenade “Stradun” Pedestrian Area within the City Walls.
The stradum is close to the beautiful big “Onofrio” fountain, so climbing up this entrance to the city walls; you enjoy the wonderful view over the fountain and the main pedestrian street “Stradun”. After buying your ticket, you can choose two directions for your visit. One leading north, towards the fortress of “Minčeta”, the other leading south towards the fortress of “Bokar”. I recommend you to take the direction to the north, because the level of the city walls is slightly rising toward the “Minčeta” fortress, the most beautiful fortress of the Dubrovnik City Walls.
The Highest & Main Old City Fortress “Minceta”.
From the fortress of “Minčeta”, you should proceed by the northern part of the city walls where are a number of towers, then it you’ll slightly descend toward the east, where you can enjoy of the beautiful view over the old city harbour and the island of “Lokrum”. Lokrum island is best seen from St. John’s and St. Luke’s fortresses. On the southern part of the Dubrovnik City Walls, you can enjoy the view of the sea, and reaching the Pile gate, where we started our tour. Here is a beautiful view to the St. Lawrence fortress.
Tips & Suggestions for visiting the Dubrovnik City Walls:
It’s highly recommended that during the summer you visit the city walls in the early mornings, so you can avoid the crowds and often very hot noon. In autumn, and especially in winter and spring days, the visit of the old city walls is particularly amazing, less heat and much less busy. You should take a bottle of water with you. The fastest city wall’s tour is in between 30-50 minutes.
City Walls Working Hours:
1st April – 31st May: 8 – 18.30 h
1st June – 31st July: 8 – 19.30 h
1st August – 30th September: 8 – 18.30 h
1st October – 31st October: 8 – 17.30 h
1st November– 31st March: 15.00 hMust do
Individual Entrance Fees:
Adults: 100,00 Kuna (cca. 14 EUR or 18 USD)
Children and adolescents: 5-18 years 30,00 Kunas
Students and journalists: 30,00 Kunas
Get a Free entry with the Dubrovnik Card
Stay at Apartment Apodidae – Quite part of the old town