Walls of Ston

Ston, Croatia

The Walls of Ston are a series of defensive stone walls, originally more than 7 kilometres long, that surrounded and protected the city of Ston. Their construction was begun in 1358. Today, it is one of the longest preserved fotification systems in the world.

Despite being well protected by massive city walls, the Republic of Ragusa used Pelješac to build another line of defence. At its narrowest point, just before it joins the mainland, a wall was built from Ston to Mali Ston. Throughout the era of the Republic, the walls were maintained and renovated once they meant to protect the precious salt pans that contributed to Dubrovnik's wealth, which are still being worked today.

Demolition work began on the walls following the fall of the Republic. Later the Austrian authorities took materials away from the wall to build schools and community buildings, and also for a triumphal arch on the occasion of the visit by the Austrian Emperor in 1884. The wall around Mali Ston was demolished with the excuse that it was damaging the health of the people. The demolition was halted after World War II.

Layout

The wall, today 5.5 kilometres long, links Ston to Mali Ston, and is in the shape of an irregular pentangle. It was completed in the 15th century, along with its 40 towers (20 of which have survived) and 5 fortresses. Within, three streets were laid from north to south and three others from east to west. Thus, fifteen equal blocks were formed with 10 houses in each. Residential buildings around the edges. The Gothic Republic Chancellery and the Bishop's Palace are outstanding among the public buildings.

The main streets are 6 m wide (except the southern street which is 8 m wide) and the side streets are two m wide. The town was entered by two city gates: the Field Gate (Poljska vrata) has a Latin inscription and dates from 1506. The centres of the system are the fortress Veliki kaštio in Ston, Koruna in Mali Ston and the fortress on Podzvizd hill. Noted artist who work on the walls project are Michelozzo, Bernardino Gatti of Parma and Giorgio da Sebenico (Juraj Dalmatinac).

The city plan of Dubrovnik was used as a model for Ston, but since Ston was built on prepared terrain, that model was more closely followed than Dubrovnik itself.

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Details

Founded: 1358
Category: Castles and fortifications in Croatia

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Zoran Guide - driver (5 months ago)
Nice place to stop and enjoy in Ston , medieval fortress and protective wall. Is nice to have lunch there because is best place to try oysters and local wine,which is one of the best from this area !
Silvio Smerdel (5 months ago)
Stonske zidine is THE BEST thing in Stone. 10€ tickets - definitely worth it. Me and wife had a wonderful morning "hiking" the wall from Ston to Mali Ston. This is like mini Great wall of China : )
Estelle Vassallo (6 months ago)
Definitely recommended! We entered close to the parking, then went towards the seaside side, amazing vuews. Then back and around Ston, exiting on the other exit. Was perfect!!
Armin Isic (6 months ago)
Beautiful city of Ston lovely place to visit and adventure. Get lost in the narrow streets and enjoy the beauty this town has to offer. Historical landmark.
Jarrod Hunt (8 months ago)
Very very cool experience. The wall walk is pretty grueling, especially in the summer heat. To go up and over to Mali Stone via the walls, then walk back via the road is likely going to take you 2 hrs with photo stops and water breaks. Take water as there is none along the way, and don't worry, once you get to the top of the Ston side, it's much much easier from there. Absolutely worth the effort though! Beware of old mate at the ticket office who told me it's cash only, but once I told him I had no cash he magically produced a POS terminal ?
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