The Bell Tower and the Roman Soldiers Maro and Baro

With its commanding height and prominent location, it has dominated the city center for centuries. Throughout history, the bell tower marked the passage of time, announced government council sessions, warned of impending danger, heralded celebrations, and set the rhythm of daily life.

The Old Bell Tower

The city’s first bell tower was erected in 1444, during an era when Dubrovnik was actively strengthening its public institutions and civic infrastructure. Situated next to the Rector’s Palace, Sponza Palace, and the Church of St. Blaise, it formed an integral part of the Republic’s majestic town center. The original tower stood roughly 31 meters high and was built in the Late Gothic style, featuring a simple, slender stone design.

The Green Soldiers: Maro and Baro

A particularly fascinating feature of the tower is the pair of Roman soldier figures that strike the bell with hammers to mark the top of the hour. Locally, they are known as the “Zelenci” (the Green Men) or “Maro and Baro.” Over time, metal oxidation gave them a distinct greenish patina, which earned them their popular nickname.

• Artisan Craftsmanship: The original wooden figures were replaced in 1478 with bronze statues cast by an unknown master artisan. For context, the famous Venetian Mori on St. Mark’s Clocktower (Torre dell’Orologio) were installed 19 years later.
• Oldest in the Region: Dubrovnik’s Zelenci are the oldest bronze automaton figures—known as jacquemarts (clock-jacks)—in the region.
• Design: Commissioned by Dubrovnik’s Minor Council in 1478, both bronze statues stand 191 cm tall and are dressed in Roman military attire, complete with breastplates and helmets.
• Preservation: Following a minor earthquake in 1905, the Zelenci were removed for safety during tower renovations and stored in the local museum. Because they were severely weathered, they were not reinstalled after the repairs; instead, accurate replicas were placed alongside the bell.

The Clock

On the facade of the bell tower sits a public clock that was essential to organizing civic life for centuries. During the Republic era, the chime of the bell regulated working hours, the closing of the city gates, council meetings, fire or attack alarms, and the start of official festivities.

• 1389: The oldest known public clock in Dubrovnik originally sat on the southeastern tower of the Rector’s Palace before being moved to the new tower on Luža Square in 1444.
• 1444: The forged clock face and the moon-phase indicator below it were crafted by Luka Mihočin from the Elaphiti island of Koločep.
• 1780: The Dubrovnik Republic commissioned a new clock from Franciscan lay brother Pasko Baletin, even seeking expert advice from the renowned scientist Ruđer Bošković.
• Late 18th Century – Present: The mechanism was replaced by the Solari Brothers firm from Padua, Italy. During the major bell tower restoration in 1929, an updated, modern clock from the same company was installed.

The Bell

The massive bell—measuring 130 cm in height and diameter and weighing two tonnes—was cast in 1506 by master artisan Ivan Rabljanin (John of Rab).

Ivan Krstitelj Rabljanin was the most famous Croatian cannon and bell founder of the Renaissance. Operating out of his foundries inside the Revelin Fortress, he cast cannons and bells not only for the Dubrovnik Republic, but also for clients across Italy and Spain. His most famous cannon, the Gušter (“Lizard”), still rests on the seabed just off the coast of Fort Lovrijenac.

The New Bell Tower

A series of earthquakes throughout the 19th century caused dangerous cracking and leaning in the bell tower. A minor earthquake in 1905 caused no major structural damage, but it spurred city officials into action.

• 1906: The upper section of the tower and its dome were dismantled. Several redesigns were proposed, including a Neo-Gothic concept that was ultimately scrapped.
• 1928–1929: A complete reconstruction took place using original blueprints, funded by the wealthy emigrant philanthropist Pasko Baburica.

Today’s tower is a Neo-Renaissance edifice incorporating original historical elements, such as Ivan Rabljanin’s 1506 bell, restoring the iconic silhouette to Dubrovnik’s skyline.

Note for Visitors: The statues currently on the Bell Tower are faithful replicas installed to protect the originals from weathering. The original 15th-century bronze mechanical strikers, Maro and Baro, are preserved and on display inside the Cultural History Museum at the Rector’s Palace.

Nearby Landmarks

• Stradun (Placa)
• Orlando’s Column
• Church of St. Blaise
• Rector’s Palace
• Sponza Palace
• Small Onofrio’s Fountain
• Ploče Gate