Near the Walls of Dubrovnik, is the Lovrijenac Fortress, a small rock that protects the access to the city. For centuries, this was one of the most important checkpoints on the Adriatic coast, and it also marked Dubrovnik’s border with the Mediterranean.
For much of the 11th century, Venice was the most powerful force in the Mediterranean Sea. The Venetians controlled trade, the exchange of goods, regional politics and also settled in different ports, in order to increase their reach and influence.
These settlements were rarely peaceful, as it was common to take places that belonged to another nation or that were totally independent. This was the case with Ragusa, the old name for Dubrovnik, which at that time was an autonomous city-state.
The inhabitants of this coastal metropolis did not want to lose their freedom to the Venetians, so they fortified its walls and created new defense enclaves. One of them was the Lovrijenac Fortress, located a few kilometers north of the city.
The Lovrijenac Fortress‘s main function was to prevent the entry of hostile forces, as well as to regulate who entered and left this area of the Adriatic.
The tower of the fortress is located in the highest area of a cliff, from it it is possible to see the remoteness of the Mediterranean, and it is easy to spot any boat that is approaching the Dalmatian coast.
This tower is accompanied by two others, which are smaller and instead of looking towards the sea, they watch over the city. The buildings that make up the Lovrijenac Fortress are arranged in a kind of triangle, which at the time was ideal both for attacking invaders and for defending the metropolis.
This structure also highlights its lack of symmetry, since the main tower is taller and more robust than the other two. Some walls of the great fort can measure up to 12 meters thick, in addition to being protected by the cannons used by the old guards.
As for the small towers, these are lighter and lighter. This disparity has two reasons, the first is that the most important defense point was towards the sea, so the protection had to be greater. The second is that, in the event of a riot or revolt, the city authorities could blow up the two towers without much complication, thus destroying the fortress.
Lovrijenac Fortress is undoubtedly an isolated place, accessible only by bridge. Despite this, it is also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Dubrovnik.
Currently, the fortress is considered an extension of the Dubrovnik Walls, and those who make the tour of these legendary walls can reach the cliff where the building is located.
Keep in mind that this is a walking tour, we recommend wearing the appropriate clothing and footwear. In addition, the Lovrijenac Fortress regularly hosts fairs and cultural events, so don’t miss the opportunity to discover one of the most authentic facets of Dubrovnik.
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