Minčeta Tower, Dubrovnik, Croatia

The Minčeta Tower was built by a local builder named Nicifor Ranjina and Italian engineers sent by Pope Pius II in 1463, at the height of the Turkish threat. Originally as a strong four-sided fort, it is the most prominent point in the defensive system towards the land. The tower's name derives from the name of the Menčetić family, who owned the ground upon which the tower was built. By its height and impressive volume, the tower dominates the northwestern high part of the city and its walls.

In the middle of the 15th century, around the earlier quadrilateral fort, Michelozzo built a new round tower using new warfare technique and joined it to the new system of low scarp walls. The full six-meter thick walls of the new tower had a series of protected gun ports. The architect and sculptor Giorgio da Sebenico of Zadar continued the work on the Minčeta tower. He designed and built the high narrow round tower while the battlements are a later addition. The tower was completed in 1464 and became the symbol of the unconquerable city of Dubrovnik.

After a long excavation, a 16th-century cannon foundry was discovered under Minčeta Tower. It is now a museum. Since Minčeta Tower is the highest point of the wall, it is considered to offer a seemingly 'unforgettable' view on the city.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Xbox User (13 months ago)
Amazing! This structure and its town must have been even more amazing in its time. Still beautiful but bastardized by branded logo shops and gimmicks.

Piper Martz (14 months ago)
Lovely viewpoint but VERY crowded and busy. Staircase is quite narrow so the wait to get up is very long. The viewpoint is really nice but honestly you could skip this and get other outstanding views by walking the rest of the wall.

Monika Karlińska (15 months ago)
Great place in Dubrownik, old city, city wall - you can enjoy all day. Entrance for city wall costs 35 euros.

Matej (2 years ago)
Just spectacular! The best view of Dubrovnik can be seen from this tower. It's also the highest point of Dubrovnik city walls. It's a bit challenging to climb the stairs but once on the top you forget about it. Be careful not to fall.

Latha verghis (2 years ago)
It’s a must visit place .. the climb is a little tough but worth every bit of the effort put. If you are visiting during September and October it could be a wee bit hot and sultry so please carry water and sun protection. The tickets are a little too expensive for this though.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Infomastern

Historic Site of the week

Visby Cathedral

Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.

Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.

Minčeta Tower

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Visby Cathedral