St Lawrence Fortress Dubrovnik (Fortress Lovrijenac) is located west of the old town of Dubrovnik. It is perched on an impressive 37-meter-high cliff, and due to its strategic position, it is often referred to as the "Gibraltar of Dubrovnik." It symbolizes freedom and centuries of resistance to the Venetian Republic's attempts to conquer Dubrovnik. The fortress defended the city from both sea and land, and it is the only Dubrovnik fortress located outside the city walls. Today, it hosts weddings and theatrical performances and is a popular tourist attraction.
History of St Lawrence Fortress Dubrovnik
Hostilities and rivalry with the Venetian Republic mark Dubrovnik's history. To control Dubrovnik and make it easier to conquer, the Venetians devised a cunning plan to build a fortress on the site of today's St Lawrence Fortress. However, Dubrovnik discovered their plan and decided to act quickly. The Dubrovnik citizens built the fortress in just three months, and by the time the Venetian ships arrived full of materials for their construction, they found the fortress already standing. With no choice left, they returned to Venice empty-handed.
It is believed that the fortress was built between 1018 and 1038, with the first written mention dating from 1301 in a document appointing one of its castellans. The original fortress likely had an irregular triangular shape with access via a drawbridge and stood seven meters high with battlements. Along with quarters for the garrison, the fortress also housed the Church of St. Lawrence, named after the saint after whom the fortress is named. The church was cared for by devout women of the Third Order of St. Francis, known as tertiaries, who had their quarters in the fortress.
Over the centuries, the fortress was continuously strengthened and expanded. A moat was dug on the northern side, bridged by a drawbridge. It is recorded that in 1464, the western and northern walls were significantly reinforced at points reaching up to 12 meters in thickness. Interestingly, the walls facing the sea are up to 12 meters thick, while those facing the bay and the city are only 60 cm thick. Even in the thickness of the walls, one can see how wise the Dubrovnik citizens were and how carefully they considered every detail to preserve the freedom of their Republic, which had many enemies. The walls facing the city were kept thin so that, in the event of the fortress falling into enemy hands, Dubrovnik could easily destroy the thin walls with cannons and retake the fortress from the other city towers.
The fortress has a triangular shape. Around the central atrium on the ground floor are rooms intended for the garrison's accommodation, storage for weapons, and other supplies. Above, there are three more levels with open terraces and defensive walls with battlements. The fortress houses a niche with a statue of St. Blaise from 1559, the work of the Dubrovnik sculptor of French origin, Jacob de Spinis, and the local sculptor from Korčula, Vicko Lujev.
St Lawrence Fortress is famous for the inscription in Latin above the entrance, "Non bene pro toto libertas venditur auro," which translates to "Freedom is not sold for all the treasures of the world."
The fortress has a constant source of drinking water. Inside the fortress is a cistern that contains water from a spring on the rock. Like the rest of Dubrovnik, the fortress was heavily damaged in the great earthquake of 1667. Repairs lasted until the end of the 17th century when the fortress acquired its present form.
With Napoleon's troops entering Dubrovnik in 1806, Napoleon's decree officially abolished the Republic of Dubrovnik in 1808. After Napoleon's defeat, the territory of the former Republic became part of the Habsburg Monarchy. Under Austrian rule, Dubrovnik lost its status as an independent city-state and became an ordinary city within the Habsburg Monarchy. This also affected the fate of St Lawrence Fortress.
Armaments and the Lizard Cannon
The fortress was equipped with numerous cannons and other weapons. The Austrians transferred Dubrovnik's cannons to Austria, and most of them ended up in foundries. Until 1814, the most famous Dubrovnik cannon, known as the Lizard due to its green patina, stood on the highest level of the fortress. The Lizard was a masterpiece of the bell and cannon maker Ivan Krstitelj Rabljanin.
It is believed that the cannon was made around 1537. It was an impressive cannon, weighing about 6 tons, richly decorated with ornaments. Due to its large size and weight, the Austrians could not remove it from the fortress, so they decided to lower it down the fortress walls and cliff onto a raft. However, the ropes snapped, and the cannon fell into the sea below the fortress. Despite attempts to locate the cannon, it has never been found. According to stories, the cannon was visible in the sea for several decades afterward.
It is also recorded that after the great earthquake of 1667, the Lizard cannon saved Dubrovnik from invaders. In the place where the earthquake most damaged Dubrovnik's walls, two Venetian galleys began landing troops. Pero Ohmućević, the commander of St Lawrence Fortress at the time, opened fire from the Lizard cannon on the Venetians. Fearing the power of the mighty cannon, the Venetians fled to Gruž and then back to Venice.
St Lawrence Fortress and Dubrovnik under Austrian rule
In 1886, the Austrians converted the fortress into a barracks. The drawbridge at the entrance was cemented over, cannon embrasures were turned into large windows, and a pigeon house was built on the fortress. The army remained in the fortress until 1907, after which the fortress was rented out to a hotel company that was supposed to convert it into a hotel. This caused great dissatisfaction among the citizens, and in 1908, the fortress was handed over to the Society for the Promotion of Dubrovnik's Interests.
St Lawrence Fortress from World War I to the present
The fortress was restored, and some additions were removed in preparation for the historic PEN International Congress in Dubrovnik in 1933. Part of the conference took place at the fortress. For this occasion, a second eastern staircase was built, and pine trees were planted at the base of the fortress.
From April 5, 1911, until the beginning of World War I, the firing of a cannon from the fortress marked noon. This practice was not resumed after World War I.
During World War II, the fortress was used as a prison. The interior was divided into smaller cells. Immediately after the war, the fortress was restored to its previous state.
Dubrovnik Summer Festival
Since 1950, Dubrovnik has been hosting the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. This unique festival combines top-tier arts with the historical ambiance of Dubrovnik. The festival offers a variety of cultural programs at spectacular locations, promoting domestic and international artistic values. Over the years, the festival has become an essential destination for art and culture lovers and is vital to Dubrovnik's and Croatia's cultural identity. Theatrical performances are held at St Lawrence Fortress.
Weddings at St Lawrence Fortress
Weddings at St Lawrence Fortress are popular due to its historical and cultural value, spectacular natural beauty, romantic atmosphere, and exclusivity. The location offers a unique combination of history, luxury, and privacy, making it the perfect place for couples seeking an unforgettable and glamorous wedding.
St Lawrence Fortress as the Red Keep in the series Game of Thrones
St Lawrence Fortress has gained additional international fame as one of the key filming locations for the Game of Thrones series, where it portrayed the Red Keep in King's Landing.
The Red Keep in "Game of Thrones" is the central royal residence in King's Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. It served as the seat of political power in Westeros and was home to the kings of the Targaryen, Baratheon, and Lannister dynasties. The Red Keep is where most important political decisions were made and ceremonies, councils, and intrigues took place.
St Lawrence Fortress is a popular tourist destination in Dubrovnik
St Lawrence Fortress is worth visiting for its historical significance and impressive architecture. It is perched on a 37-meter-high cliff and offers incredible panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea and the Old Town of Dubrovnik. As one of the symbols of the defense of the Republic of Dubrovnik, St Lawrence Fortress holds a rich history and proudly preserves memories of the city's freedom, encapsulated in the inscription, "Freedom is not sold for all the treasures of the world." Visitors can enjoy the historical ambiance while exploring the fortress and its many corners.
Visiting St Lawrence Fortress
Tourist visits to St Lawrence Fortress are possible from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM. A ticket is required to enter the fortress. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance or online via the webshop. Reservations are not necessary. The ticket price for adults is €15, and children enter for free.
Additionally, if you have purchased a ticket for Dubrovnik's city walls, that ticket includes visiting St Lawrence Fortress. The ticket price for adults for both the city walls and St Lawrence Fortress is €35. Children under 7 years old enter for free, and children between 7 and 18 years old pay €15.
If you have purchased a ticket for St Lawrence Fortress but wish to visit Dubrovnik's city walls, you can pay the difference at the entrance to the city walls.
The Dubrovnik Pass provides free entry to St Lawrence Fortress and the city walls. Check out this offer, which also provides free entry to around 10 other locations, free public transportation, and numerous discounts.