Fort Lovrijenac

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Fort Lovrijenac or St. Lawrence Fortress is located outside the western wall of the city of Dubrovnik. Famous for its plays and importance in resisting Venetian rule, it overshadows the two entrances to the city, from the sea and by land. Early in the 11th century the Venetians attempted to build a fort on the same spot where Fort Lovrijenac currently stands. If they had succeeded, they would have kept Dubrovnik under their power, but the people of the city beat them to it. The 'Chronicles of Ragusa' reveal how the fort was built within just three months time and from then on constantly reconstructed. When the Venetian ships arrived, full of materials for the construction of the fort, they were told to return to Venice.

Lovrijenac has a triangular shape with three terraces. The thickness of the walls facing the outside reach 12 metres whereas the section of the walls facing the inside, the actual city, are only 60 centimetres thick. Two drawbridges lead to the fort and above the gate there is an inscription Non Bene Pro Toto Libertas Venditur Auro ('Freedom is not to be sold for all the treasures in the world'). Lovrijenac's use as a stage was a recent addition to the history of the fort, and the performance of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' has become the symbol of Dubrovnik Summer Festival.

 

 

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Founded: 11th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Croatia

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

anger (3 months ago)
Nice place views are great the Fort is the best attraction and can walk at top. The locals do try to hike prices up for tourists as you can hear them a different price for locals for the same product, which knocks a star off. Queues can be long even with tickets, so best to get them in advance.
Matej (5 months ago)
Amazing view of Dubrovnik from the fortress. The entrance fee has to be paid. You have to climb many stairs in order to get to the top. It can be windy upstairs.
Cameron Bertram (6 months ago)
Nice to visit and get my daily stair count in. This is included in the 35 Euro ticket which you buy for the walls and museum. Does not need to all be used on the same day. We visited the Fort on day 2. Great views from the top. Just be aware that the fort can host events so has days / times when it can be closed to the public.
Alex Robben (7 months ago)
Amazing experience on the outside of the walls and on the inside during a walking tour. We were fortunate enough to be the only two on the tour with our guide Marco, who was a local that lived inside the city walls. Marco gave us the history of the wall and answered each question we had in depth. Very nice walk around the fort around 5000 steps on a fit bit.
Edward Voice (8 months ago)
Included in the Dubrovnik pass (highly recommend buying). Otherwise it’s 5€ entry I believe. Really good views of the old town and the fort itself holds lots of historic value to the nation of Croatia. Lots of steps up to it, but plenty of benches for stopping if you can’t do it all in one go.
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