Dubrovnik City Walls – West Entrance

Since 1979, they have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the entire historic center of Dubrovnik.

They are open to visitors as a circular walkway offering sweeping views of the city and the sea.

Entrances and Rules of Movement

• West Entrance: Near Pile Gate, accessible from Stradun
• St. John’s Fortress Entrance: Houses the Aquarium and Maritime Museum
• East Entrance: Near Ploče Gate

Note: Due to high visitor numbers, traffic along the walls is strictly counterclockwise. A full circuit takes up to 2 hours, though you can exit earlier at any of the other access points.

Since 1952, the walls have been cared for by the Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities (DPDS).

Development Through the Centuries

The Dubrovnik City Walls were constructed between the 13th and 17th centuries to shield the city from foreign invaders.

• 13th & 14th Centuries (Late Romanesque and Gothic): The rule of thumb was simple: the higher, the better. Tall walls were ideal for defense—they prevented enemies from easily scaling them with ladders, while giving archers excellent line-of-sight and cover.
• 1453 Turning Point: The Fall of Constantinople made the Ottoman threat immediate, while Venetians continued to lurk from the sea. However, the ultimate game-changer was military innovation: cannons and gunpowder. Overnight, the tall, slender walls the city took pride in became its greatest vulnerability—shattering like glass against heavy cannon fire.
• Renaissance Adaptation: Local engineers lowered and thickened the walls to withstand heavy impacts. They packed the interior of towers with earth to absorb the brute force of cannonballs.

Through these adaptations, the walls evolved from tall “shields” into massive, impenetrable fortresses. They successfully survived the devastating earthquake of 1667 and severe damage during the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s, after which they were meticulously restored to their original splendor.

Towers and Fortresses

The walls stretch 1,940 meters in length, reaching heights of up to 25 meters. They range in thickness from 4 to 6 meters on the landward side and 1.5 to 3 meters facing the sea. They are protected on all sides by major fortifications:

• Bokar Tower: Located on the western side (also known as Zvjezdan), built between 1461 and 1463 based on designs by Florentine architect Michelozzo Michelozzi.
• Fort Lovrijenac: A standalone fortress set on a cliff 37 meters above sea level just outside the western walls. Famous for theatrical performances and weddings, it stands historically as a powerful symbol of resistance against the Venetian Republic—often referred to as the “Gibraltar of Dubrovnik.”
• St. John’s Fortress: A 16th-century stronghold on the southeastern side designed by local architect Paskoje Miličević to guard the entrance to the old harbor.
• Fort Revelin: Situated on the eastern perimeter, built in 1462 to defend against the Ottoman threat.
• Minčeta Tower: A monumental circular fortress protecting the northern side. Completed in 1464 with contributions from notable master builders including Giorgio da Sebenico (Juraj Dalmatinac), its construction was spurred by the news of the Fall of Constantinople in 1453.

Nearby Attractions

Once you complete your walk along the walls, consider visiting these nearby sights:

• Fort Lovrijenac: A standard City Walls ticket typically includes admission here as well (be sure to check details at the entrance).
• Large Onofrio’s Fountain: Located right by the main Pile Gate entrance—an ideal spot to rehydrate after your walk.
• Maritime Museum: Located inside St. John’s Fortress, where you can learn more about Dubrovnik’s seafaring legacy.
• Dubrovnik Aquarium: Set on the lower level of St. John’s Fortress, making it a great stop for families.