Walls of Dubrovnik The Walls of Dubrovnik ( ) are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the citizens of the afterward proclaimed maritime city - state of Dubrovnik ( Ragusa ) , situated in southern Croatia , since the city ' s founding prior to the 7th century as a Byzantium castrum on a rocky island named Laus ( Ragusia or Lave ) . With numerous additions and modifications throughout their history , they have been considered to be amongst the great fortification systems of the Middle Ages , as they were never breached by a hostile army during this time period . In 1979 , the old city of Dubrovnik , which includes a substantial portion of the old walls of Dubrovnik , joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites . The oldest systems of fortifications around the town were likely wooden palisades . Today ' s intact city walls , constructed mainly during the 12th – 17th centuries , mostly a double line , have long been a source of pride for Dubrovnik . The walls run an uninterrupted course of approximately in length , encircling most of the old city , and reach a maximum height of about . The bulk of the existing walls and fortifications were constructed during the 14th and 15th centuries , but were continually extended and strengthened up until the 17th century . This complex structure , amongst the largest and most complete in Europe , protected the freedom and safety of a " civilised " and " sophisticated " republic that flourished in peace and prosperity for five centuries . The walls were reinforced by three circular and 14 quadrangular towers , five bastion s ( bulwarks ) , two angular fortifications and the large St . John ' s Fortress . Land Walls were additionally reinforced by one larger bastion and nine smaller semicircular ones , like the casemate Fort Bokar , the oldest preserved fort of that kind in Europe . The moat that ran around the outside section of the city walls which were armed by more than 120 cannon s , made superb city defense . Former city walls . The construction of the first limestone forts around the city began in the Early Middle Ages , towards the end of the 8th century . But , the " old chronicles " say that some sort of castle reliably existed on the Lave peninsula quite a long time prior to that . It is certain that the early town on Laus Island was also surrounded by defensive walls , probably mainly by wooden palisades . The fact that Dubrovnik managed to survive a fifteen month - long invasion by the Saracens in the 9th century proves how well the city was fortified . The city first spread towards the uninhabited eastern part of the islet , which explains why the current name for the southeast part of the city , near St . John ' s Fortress , is called " Pustijerna " . The name " Pustijerna " comes from the Latin statement " post terra " , which means " outside the town " . In the 9th and 10th centuries , the defensive wall enclosed the eastern portion of the city . When the sea channel separating the city from mainland was filled with earth in 11th century , the city merged with the settlement on land , and soon , a single wall was built around the area of the present - day city core . During this same time period , Dubrovnik and the surrounding area were described as a part of the Croatian ( " Grwasiah " ) entity , in one of the works by the famous Arab geographer Muhammad al - Idrisi . In his book " Nuzhat al - Mushataq fi ikhtiraq al - afaq " ( ) from 1154 , he mentioned Dubrovnik as the southernmost city of " the country of Croatia and Dalmatia " . The basic city plan dates from 1292 , when the port was rebuilt following a fire . The whole city was entirely enclosed in the 13th century , except for the Dominican monastery , which came under its protection later on , during the 14th century . Modern - day city walls . The city walls have been preserved to the present day , not only because of the knowledge of the skilled construction workers and the constant care provided by city dwellers that maintained and rebuilt the structures as needed , but also because of the brilliantly reputed diplomacy in Dubrovnik , which managed on many occasions to avoid dangerous measures taken by enemies against the Dubrovnik Republic . The present shape of the walls was defined in the 14th century after the city gained its full independence from Venetian suzerainty , but the peak of its construction lasted from the beginning of the 15th century until the latter half of the 16th century . Being constructed very solidly , the walls were generally unaffected by a strong earthquake occurring in 1667 . The largest stimulus for continued development and emergency repairs and works of the Dubrovnik fortresses came as a result of the danger of unexpected attack by Turkish military forces , especially after they conquered Constantinople in 1453 . The city was also under latent danger of attack by the Venetians . For centuries the people of Dubrovnik were able to preserve their city - republic by skillful maneuvering between East and West . A strategic treaty with Turkey protracted Dubrovnik ’ s liberty and maintained the opportunity for a major trading role between the Ottoman Empire and Europe . The irregular parallelogram surrounding Dubrovnik , consists of four strong fortresses at its most significant points . To the north is the strong circular Minčeta Tower , and to the east side of the city port is the Revelin Fortress . The western city entrance is protected by the strong and nicely - shaped Fort Bokar , and the strong , freestanding , St . Lawrence Fortress ( also known as Lovrijenac ) , protects the western side of the city from possible land and sea assaults . The large and complex St . John Fortress is located on the southeast side of the city . Land Walls . The main wall on the landside is to thick , and , at certain locations , the walls reach up to 25 meters ( 80 feet ) in height . The land walls stretch from Fort Bokar in the west to the detached Revelin Fortress in the east . On the landside , the wall is protected with an additional range of slanted supporting walls as defense against artillery fire , especially against possible Ottoman attacks . Gates . The town has four city gates : two that lead to the harbor and two ( with drawbridges ) that lead to the mainland . During the time period when the Austrian Empire controlled the city , two more gates were opened in the wall . Communication with the outside world on the landside was maintained with the city through two main well - protected city gate s , one placed on the western side of the city and the other placed on the eastern side . These entrances were constructed so that communications with the city could not be carried out directly ; the messenger had to enter through multiple doors and walk down a winding passageway , which is evidence of the security measures taken as a last defense against the possibility of a surprise breach or entrance of unexpected visitors . Gate of Pila . The Pila Gates are a well - fortified complex with multiple doors , defended by Fort Bokar and the moat that ran around the outside section of the city walls . At the entrance gate to the Old Town , on the western side of the land walls , there is a stone bridge between two Gothic arches , which were designed by the esteemed architect Paskoje Miličević in 1471 . That bridge connects to another bridge , a wooden drawbridge which can be pulled up . During the republican era , the wooden drawbridge to the Pila Gate was hoisted each night with considerable pomp in a ceremony which delivered the city ' s keys to the Ragusan rector . Today , it spans a dry moat whose garden offers respite from crowds . Above the bridges , over the arch of town ' s principal gateway , there is a statue of city patron Saint Blaise ( ) , with a model of the Renaissance city . After passing the Pile Gate ' s original Gothic inner gateway , it is possible to reach one of a three access points to the city walls . Gate of Ploča . On the eastern side of the land walls , stands the second major entrance to the city , the Gate of Ploča . This gate is protected by the freestanding Revelin Fortress , which are connected by a wooden drawbridge and a twin - spanned stone bridge spanning a protective ditch . The Outer Gate of Ploča was designed and constructed by architect Mihajlo Hranjac in 1628 , while the two bridges to the Revelin Fortress were built in 15th century by Paskoje Miličević . Miličević was also designed the Pila Gate bridges , which explains the similarities between the bridges . Over the bridge , just like with the Gate of Pila , there is the statue of Saint Blaise , the patron saint of Dubrovnik . Gate of Buža . The Gate of Buža ( meaning " hole " ) is located on the northern side of the land walls . This gate is relatively new compared to the other gates , as it was constructed during the early 1900s . Sea Walls . The main wall on the sea - facing side of Dubrovnik , stretches from Fort Bokar in the west to St . John Fortress in the south , and to the Revelin Frotress on the land - side . These walls are 1 . 5 to 5 meters ( 5 – 16 feet ) thick , depending on their location and its strategic importance . The purpose of these walls were to help defend the city from sea - based attacks , particularly from the Republic of Venice , which was often considered a threat to Dubrovnik ' s safety . City Harbour . One of the oldest sectors of Dubovnik was constructed around a Late Antique castle by the sea , which stretched landwards a bit more than it does today . It was constructed on the site of the Pre - Romanesque cathedral and the Rector ' s Palace , thus encircling the city ' s harbour . The harbour was designed and constructed by engineer Paskoje Miličević in late 15th century . Notably , the harbour was noticeably painted on the palm of St . Blaise in a triptych painted by the artist Nikola Božidarević around 1500 . The most prominent portion of the harbour are the three enormous arches ( the fourth original arch was walled in ) of a large arsenal built in the late 12th century and enlarged in the latter part 15th century . The harbour is also the oldest shipyard within the city and is still in use today . Porporela was built in 1873 , next to St . John Fortress . The Kase jetty ( Kaše Breakwater ) was built in 1485 , according to the design of Paskoje Miličević , in order to defend the harbour and protect it from south - eastern winds and waves . The breakwater thus shortened the harbour ' s bulky chain stretched in the night from the St . John Fortress to St . Luke ' s tower . It was constructed of huge stone blocks laid over wooden foundations without binder . Today , the arsenal hosts the City Café and a movie theatre , whereas both the harbour and Porporela have become pleasant promenades and tourist attractions . Gates . In the city port area , one of the most significant areas of the maritime trade city , there were two entrances : Gate of Ponte ( port ) and the Fishmarket Gate . The entire layout of the Dubrovnik streets , as well as a range of expansions , was intended for fast and effective communication with the forts of the city walls . Gate of Ponte . Constructed in 1476 , the Gate of Ponte is situated westwards from the Great Arsenal . The city wall , built at the same period , leads from the Gate to St . John Fortress . The present - day street of Damjan Juda , was formed in the 15th century when the sewage system was completed , and building houses against the western city wall was no longer allowed . The Fishmarket Gate . The Fishmarket Gate , built in 1381 , stands eastward from the Great Arsenal . The three arches of the 15th century Small Arsenal , where small boats were repaired , are situated a bit further . The old tower of St . Luke ' s protects the harbour in the east , and the harbour entrance is encircled and guarded by the Revelin Fortress . Forts . Forts within walls . The fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Ottomans was a clear sign to the cautious citizens of Dubrovnik that ample defensive measures were quickly needed , the strengthening of its defensive structures the foremost of the issues . The fall of Bosnia , which followed soon in 1463 , only hastened the works . As a result , the Republic invited the architect Michelozzo di Bartolomeo of Florence to direct the improvement of the city ' s defenses . His work in Dubrovnik resulted in the construction and expansion of numerous buildings of key importance for the defense of Dubrovnik . Minčeta Tower . The Minčeta Tower was built by a local builder named Nicifor Ranjina and Italian engineers sent by Pope Pius II in 1463 , at the height of the Turkish threat . Originally as a strong four - sided fort , it is the most prominent point in the defensive system towards the land . The tower ' s name derives from the name of the Menčetić family , who owned the ground upon which the tower was built . By its height and impressive volume , the tower dominates the northwestern high part of the city and its walls . In the middle of the 15th century , around the earlier quadrilateral fort , Michelozzo built a new round tower using new warfare technique and joined it to the new system of low scarp walls . The full six - meter ( 20 feet ) thick walls of the new tower had a series of protected gun ports . The architect and sculptor Giorgio da Sebenico of Zadar , continued the work on the Minčeta tower . He designed and built the high narrow round tower , while the battlement s are a later addition . The tower was completed in 1464 , and became the symbol of the unconquerable city of Dubrovnik . After a long excavation , a 16th - century cannon foundry was discovered under Minčeta Tower in Gornji ugao ( Upper Tower ) . It is now a museum . Since Minčeta Tower is the highest point of the wall , it is considered to offer a seemingly " unforgettable " view on the city . Fort Bokar . The Fort Bokar , often called " Zvjezdan " , is considered to be amongst the most beautiful instances of harmonious and functional fortification architecture . Built as a two - story casemate fortress by Michelozzo from 1461 to 1463 , while the city walls were being reconstructed , it stands in front of the medieval wall face protruding into space almost with its whole cylindrical volume . It was conceived as the key point in the defense of the Pila Gate , the western fortified entrance of the city ; and after the Minčeta Tower , it is the second key point in the defense of the western land approach to the city . It is said to be the oldest casemented fortress in Europe , which contains a small lapidary collection and numerous cannons . St . John Fortress . The St . John Fortress ( ) , often called Mulo Tower , is a complex monumental building on the southeastern side of the old city port , controlling and protecting its entrance . The first fort was built in mid 14th century , but it was modified on several occasions in the course of the 15th and 16th centuries , which can be seen in the triptych made by the painter Nikola Božidarević in the Dominican monastery . The painting shows Saint Blaise , the patron saint of Dubrovnik . Dominant in the port ambiance , the St . John Fortress prevented access of pirates and other enemy ships . Always cautious at the first sign of danger , the inhabitants of Dubrovnik used to close the entry into the port with heavy chain s stretched between the St . John Fortress and the Kase jetty , and they also used to wall up all the port entries to the Great Arsenal . Today , the fortress houses an aquarium on the ground floor , stocked with fishes from various parts of the Adriatic Sea . On the upper floors there is an ethnographic and a maritime museum devoted to the Republic Maritime Period , the Age of Steam , the Second World War , and the section of techniques of sailing and navigation . Detached forts . Revelin Fortress . In the period of unmistakable Turkish danger and the fall of Bosnia under Turkish rule , a detached fortress providing additional protection to the land approach to the eastern Ploče Gate was built to the east of the city in 1462 . The name Revelin derives from " rivelino " ( ravelin ) , a term in military architecture which refers to work built opposite the city gate in order to afford better protection from enemy attack . Danger of Venetian assault suddenly increased in the times of the First Holy League , and it was necessary to strengthen this vulnerable point of the city fortifications . The Senate hired Antonio Ferramolino , an experienced builder of fortresses in the service of the Spanish admiral Doria , a trusted friend of the Republic . In 1538 the Senate approved his drawings of the new , much stronger Revelin Fortress . It took 11 years to build it , and during that time all other construction work in the city had stopped in order to finish this fortress as soon as possible . The new Revelin became the strongest of the city fortresses , safeguarding the eastern land approach to the city . Shaped in the form of an irregular quadrilateral with one of its sides descending towards the sea , it is protected by a deep ditch on the other . One bridge crosses the protective ditch and connects it to the Ploče Gate , while another bridge connects it to the eastern suburb . The construction work was executed so perfectly so that the devastating earthquake of 1667 did not damage Revelin . Divided into 3 large vaulted rooms in its interior , Revelin became the administrative center of the Republic . St . Lawrence Fortress . St . Lawrence Fortress ( ) , often called Dubrovnik ' s Gibraltar , is located outside the western city walls , above sea level . The fortress has a quadrilateral court with mighty arches and , as its height is uneven , it has 3 terraces with powerful parapets with the broadest one looking south towards the sea . Lovrijenac was defended with 10 large cannons , being the largest and most famous called " Lizard " ( ) . The walls exposed to enemy fire are almost 12 meters ( 39 feet ) thick , but the large wall surface facing the city does not exceed 60 centimetre s ( 2 feet ) . Two drawbridge s lead to the fort , there being the inscription " " Non Bene Pro Toto Libertas Venditur Auro " " – " Freedom is not to be sold for all the treasures in the world . " above the gate . To ensure loyalty , the troops in St . Lawrence Fortress were rotated every 30 days . And to ensure complete loyalty , they were given only 30 days of rations when they went into the fort . According to old scripts it was built in only three months . Today its interior is one of the most dignified stages in Europe , and a well - known place for William Shakespeare ' s Hamlet performances . Fortifications around Dubrovnik . Walls of Ston . The Walls of Ston are originally a series of defensive stone walls of more than long . Despite its small size , the well protected Republic of Dubrovnik decided to use Pelješac to build another line of defense . At Pelješac ' s narrowest point , just before joining the mainland , a wall from Ston to Mali Ston was built . Today ' s long wall that links these two small communities has the shape of a pentagon . It was completed in the 15th century along with other 40 towers and 5 fortresses . The " wall " meant protection to the precious salt pans that greatly contributed to Dubrovnik ' s wealth , which are still being worked today . It is the second longest wall in Europe , surpassed only by the Hadrian ' s Wall between Scotland and England . Falcon Fortress . The Falcon Fortress ( ) was one of the largest and most important fortresses on the territory of the Republic of Dubrovnik , due to its position in the mountainous region near the Bosnian inland . It was built at the location of earlier Illyrian and later Roman fortifications , evident from the remains of ceramics and Roman bricks in its walls . In 1391 , the Sanković brothers , at that time the rulers of Konavle , gave to the Republic of Dubrovnik full authority over the Falcon Fortress , while it came under republic ' s final possession only in 1423 . Due to its strategic importance , the Republic of Dubrovnik constantly invested in the maintenance of the fortress , which contained a cistern , a powder storage , wine and food cellars , sentry - boxes , military barracks , and sanctuary buildings to accommodate refugees from nearby villages in the event of war . Imperial Fortress . The Fortress is placed at the top of the mountain Srđ , just above the city of Dubrovnik . It was built in 1806 by Marshal Marmont , called the Imperial , in honor of emperor Napoleon . The fortress was strategically important to defend the northern side of the city . Prevlaka Fortress . This fortress is placed at Ponta Oštro , at the very end of Prevlaka peninsula . It was built in the mid - 19th century , between 1856 and 1862 , as part of the fortification system of the Bay of Kotor at the time of the Austrian Empire . By its monumentality and unique structure , it presents an exceptional example of military architecture of its time . Today , the fortress is out of use and badly damaged by various destructions during history . City walls during sieges . Saracen siege in 866 – 867 . In 866 , a major Arab raid along Dalmatia struck Budva and Kotor , and then laid siege to Dubrovnik in 867 . The city appealed to Byzantine Emperor Basil the Macedonian , who responded by sending over one hundred ships . Finally , the 866 – 867 Saracens ' siege of Dubrovnik , which lasted fifteen months , was raised due to the intervention of Basil I , who sent a fleet under the command of Niketas Oryphas in relief of the city . After this successful intervention , the Byzantine navy sailed along the coast collecting promises of loyalty to the empire from the Dalmatian cities . The damage done by Saracens is not known , but the fact that Dubrovnik managed to survive a fifteen month - long siege , proves how well the city was fortified . Venetian siege in 948 . With the weakening of Byzantium , Venice began to see Ragusa as a rival who needed to be brought under her control , but the attempt to conquer the city in 948 failed . The citizens of the city attributed this to Saint Blaise , whom they adopted as the patron saint of the city . Nemanja ' s siege in 1185 . After some territorial disputes , war broke out between Stefan Nemanja , Grand prince of Raška , and the city of Dubrovnik , at that time under Norman suzerainty . In 1185 , Nemanja attacked the city and laid siege to it , but a Ragusan counter - attack drove Nemanja ' s forces back . According to chronicles from Dubrovnik , which are accepted by most historians , the siege ultimately failed . How much help Dubrovnik received from the Normans while repelling the siege is also not known exactly . Venetian and Fourth Crusades siege in 1205 . In 1205 , the Republic of Venice invaded Dalmatia with the forces of the Fourth Crusade . Ragusa was forced to pay a tribute , eventually becoming a source of supplies for Venice , thus saving itself from being sacked like Zadar in the Siege of Zara , used as Venice ' s naval base in the southern Adriatic Sea . In the 14th century , after liberation from Venetian supremacy , extensive work was done on the walls to ensure the republic ' s liberty . Siege by Stjepan Vukčić Kosača in 1451 . In 1451 , the very powerful Bosnian regional lord Herzeg Stjepan Vukčić Kosača attacked Dubrovnik , and laid siege to the city . He had earlier been made a Ragusan nobleman and , consequently , the Ragusan government now proclaimed him a traitor . A reward of 15 , 000 ducats , a palace in Dubrovnik worth 2 , 000 ducats , and an annual income of 300 ducats was offered to anyone who would kill him , along with the promise of hereditary Ragusan nobility which also helped hold this promise to whoever did the deed . Stjepan was so scared by the threat that he finally raised the siege . Russian siege in 1806 . By 1800 , the Republic had a highly organized network of consulates and consular offices in more than eighty cities and ports around the world . In 1806 , the Republic surrendered to the forces of the First French Empire to end a months - long siege by the Russian and Montenegrin fleet during which 3 , 000 cannonballs fell on the city . The French lifted the siege and Ragusa was saved . The French army , led by Napoleon Bonaparte , entered Dubrovnik in 1806 . In 1808 , Marshal Auguste de Marmont abolished the Republic of Ragusa and amalgamated its territory into the French Illyrian Provinces , himself becoming the " Duke of Ragusa " ( " Duc de Raguse " ) . Anglo - Austrian siege in 1814 . Austria declared war on France in August 1813 and by the Autumn the Royal Navy enjoyed unopposed domination over the Adriatic sea . Working in conjunction with the Austrian armies now invading the Illyrian Provinces and Northern Italy Rear Admiral Thomas Fremantle ' s ships were able to rapidly transport British and Austrian troops from one point to another , forcing the surrender of the strategic ports one after another December . Captain William Hoste with his ship HMS " Bacchante " ( 38 guns ) along with HMS " Saracen " an 18 gun brig , arrived at Ragusa already blockaded by Pro Austrian Croat forces led by Todor Milutinović . The British with the Austrians were able to take the Imperial fortress and positions on Lokrum island . By hauling cannon up to Srd hill they bombarded the city until the French General Joseph de Montrichard decided it was best to surrender . British and Croat troops entered the city via the Pile gates shutting the Ragusan rebels out . Yugoslav army siege in 1991 – 1992 . The Siege of Dubrovnik ( ) is a term marking the battle and siege of the city of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area in Croatia as part of the Croatian War of Independence . Dubrovnik was besieged and attacked by forces of the Serb - dominated Yugoslav People ' s Army ( JNA ) in late 1991 , with the major fighting ending in early 1992 , and the Croatian counterattack finally lifting the siege and liberating the area in mid - 1992 . At the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia ( ICTY ) , the prosecution alleged that , " It was the objective of the Serb forces to detach this area from Croatia and to annex it to Montenegro . " In 1991 , the American Institute of Architects condemned the bombardment of the city ' s buildings . The Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments , in conjunction with UNESCO , found that , of the 824 buildings in the Old Town , 563 ( or 68 . 33 percent ) had been hit by projectiles during the siege . Of these 563 , nine buildings had been completely destroyed by one of several major fires that occurred during the siege . In 1993 , the Institute for the Rehabilitation of Dubrovnik and UNESCO estimated the total cost for restoring public , private , and religious buildings , streets , squares , fountains , ramparts , gates , and bridges at US $ 9 , 657 , 578 . By the end of 1999 , over $ 7 , 000 , 000 had been spent on restoration . It is a testament to the resilience of the ancient walls that more buildings in the old town were not destroyed during the bombardment ; the ancient walls in fact were more effective at resisting modern weaponry than contemporary structures in the city ' s periphery .