Walls of Dubrovnik
The Walls of Dubrovnik are a series of defensive stone walls surrounding the city. They are among the most unique defense systems from the Middle Ages, as a hostile army never breached them. We visited the Great Wall of China, but the Walls of Dubrovnik are as impressive, even though shorter. Also, you don’t have a beautiful city to admire at the Great Wall while waddling.
The more we learned about Dubrovnik, the more impressive it became. The city was always wealthy and knew how to manage itself. It’s clear also from the fact that slaves did not build the walls. In other parts of the world, slavery was still accepted, but not in Dubrovnik. The walls were built by workers, which were paid for their work. Dubrovnik abolished slave trading on January 27th, 1416, becoming one of the first in Europe to do so.
Walls of Dubrovnik Tickets
You can buy tickets upfront online on their website – link.
Or you can buy them on the spot at the ticket office as we did. The tickets are sold at the same sport where you can access the wall (one of three places).
The price is 250 kn (about 33 €). You can pay at the ticket office also by card. Penguins have free entry.
Note: the ticket will also give you access to the Fort Lovrijenac.
Open from 8 am to 7 pm.
Many recommend enjoying the walls later in the day, for example, during sunset.
You can only access the walls one time with your tickets, so you would have to purchase another ticket once you leave and want to reenter them.
Things to know about the Walls of Dubrovnik before going
The walls are the main reason why Dubrovnik is well known as the Pearl of the Adriatic. The Walls surround the whole old town.
- The walls are 1940 meters long with 6 fortresses – Lovrijenac, Revelin, Minčeta, Bokar, St John and St Lucas.
- The Walls were one of Dubrovnik’s Game Of Thrones filming locations.
- The maximum height of the walls in some parts reaches about 25 meters (82 ft).
- The walls themselves are generally 6 meters (19 ft) thick.
- Some parts are very narrow, and the height is low, so be prepared for this if you are afraid of heights.
- Waddling around, there are a few bars and restaurants to buy drinks and eat or small stands to buy water.
- Toilets are also available on the Walls.
- There is no set time for how long you should be up there, so the time you spend there depends on you.
- You will encounter three checkpoints where you have to present your tickets.
It is good to know that you can sit and relax on the wall.
Apart from bars or restaurants, you can also buy souvenirs on the walls.
Read also: Lokrum Island: How to get there and what to see
A little bit of history about the Walls of Dubrovnik
- The history goes back to the Middle Ages.
- In the 9th century, Saracens besieged the city for 15 months.
- During the 9th and the 10th century, the eastern section was included within the defense walls.
- The city was separated from the mainland by the sea channel, which was filled with earth in the 11th century.
- In the 13th century, the whole city was enclosed by the walls.
- In the 14th century, there were built 15 square forts to increase their strength.
- The walls are protected at four points by strong forts, also by 2 round towers, 12 quadrilateral forts, 5 bastions, and 2 corner towers, while the scarp wall is flanked by one large and 9 small semicircular bastions.
- Dubrovnik has retained its walls so perfectly, and that is the reason why Dubrovnik is included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO since 1979.
How long are the Walls of Dubrovnik
The walls run uninterrupted for 1940 meters (6365 feet) in length, encircling most of the City, and reach a maximum height of about 25 meters (83 feet). It is quite a waddle around them and it takes a while to waddle them whole, especially if you stop frequently and, take pictures.
In general, the walk itself is relatively easy for anyone with a good physical condition and can be done in 1-2 hours, depending on your pace.
The main ground plan of walls and fortification is traced from the 14th century and finished in the late 17th century after the great earthquake in 1667.
The oldest segment of the town walls is one of the Arsenal (Orsan), nowadays Gradska Kavana restaurant, from the 7th century AD.
Steps are at the Walls of Dubrovnik
Calling Dubrovnik the city of steps feels almost like an understatement. Steps are everywhere in Dubrovnik, in total about 5 000, and the walls are no exception.
Although you won’t find an exact number, it is commonly accepted the walls consist of about 1000 steps (or, more precisely 1 080).
We all know, though, what steps mean (apart from sweat and swearing 😅). They mean beautiful views.
The best time to visit the Walls of Dubrovnik
The best time of the day to visit the walls is either in the early morning or late afternoon if you are visiting in the high tourist season.
Alternatively, offseason, any time is fine. As you know the best time for a trip to Dubrovnik is from May to June and September to October. During the high season, it can get cramped on the Walls.
Fortresses on the Walls of Dubrovnik
Waddling around it is not all only about the walls, but you will also encounter numerous fortresses.
Among the most famous ones is the Minceta Fortress, or Minceta Tower. It is located on the north part of the walls, facing the land. Minceta is a large round fort with a massive base in the form. The Gothic crown is on the top of the fort.
Minčeta is the highest point in the Dubrovnik defense system. The name Minčeta derives from the name of the Mencetic family who was the owners of the ground where the tower was built. It was started building in 1319 according to the design of architect Ranjina.
Bokar Fortress, also called Zvjezdan, is located on the Southwestern part of Dubrovnik City walls. This fort, together with Minčeta tower, was the critical point in defense of the ditch and Pile Gate.
The fort was built in 1461, according to the designs of Michelozzo di Bartolomeo of Florence.
There was a debate about the necessity of finalizing the project in 1470. In 1555 the fort was roofed, and it was upgraded to its present state in 1570.
The Game of Thrones used the fort as its filming location.
Fortress of St. John, also called Mulo tower, is a complex of the monumental fortress located on the south-eastern side of the old city port. The fort was built for port protection. The side toward the sea is round, and the lower part of the wall is inclined. The part facing the port has flat vertical walls. Dock Fort was started building in 1346 and lasted for several years.
Fort Revelin, is located in the eastern part of the City. The initial fort was built in 1463 as a detached fortress protecting the eastern City Gate.
The name derives from rivelino ( ravelin ), which is a term in architecture that refers to forts built opposite the weakest points in the defense system or opposite the particular city gates with the purpose of reinforcing the defensive position. It took 11 years to build it.
Revelin has an irregular quadrilateral form. The fort was not harmed by the earthquake of 1667 because of its perfect and robust construction.
Interesting to know, there is a large stone–paved terrace on the top of Revelin, which is sometimes used as a stage for many events of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival (from July 10th to August 25th).
Enjoy your waddle on the Walls of Dubrovnik as much as we did.
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