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must-visit in DubrovnikCastle & Fortress

Lovrijenac Fort

📍 Ul. od Tabakarije 29, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Lovrijenac Fort
1 photos
4.6/ 5.0
★★★★★

Quick Facts

Location
Croatia, Dubrovnik
Category
Castle & Fortress
Duration
45-60 minutes including over 200 stone steps up
Address
Ul. od Tabakarije 29, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Coordinates
42.6420, 18.1040

Introduction

Fort Lovrijenac stands on a red rock platform just outside the western walls of Dubrovnik's Old Town, 37 metres above the sea, open on three sides and joined to land on the fourth - 'Dubrovnik's Gibraltar' - guarding the western Pile Gate approach and Kolorina Bay below. Legend says that in the 11th century, learning Venice planned a fort on this very rock, the people of Ragusa built one in three months, forcing the Venetian fleet arriving with materials to turn back; the first firm record dates to 1301, and expansion through the 15th and 16th centuries produced the triangular three-terrace form, with a chapel of St Lawrence built into the ramparts. Its cleverest feature is a pair of walls: 12 metres thick facing the sea to absorb bombardment, only 60 centimetres facing the city, so that if the commander ever turned or the fort fell, the town's own guns could breach the thin side and retake it. Above the main entrance is carved the Latin motto that freedom is not sold for all the world's gold. The fort once held ten cannons, the most famous 'Guster' (the Lizard) cast in 1537 and never fired, lost to the Adriatic while being moved under Austrian occupation; commanders were rotated monthly to prevent anyone growing too powerful. Since 1952 it has been an open-air stage of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, above all for Hamlet, and it served as the Red Keep in Game of Thrones, with Joffrey's name-day tournament filmed inside. The 2026 EUR 40 walls ticket also covers this fort and the Western Outer Wall for 72 hours; it is about five minutes on foot from the western gate and over 200 stone steps up, overlooking the city walls, the Adriatic and Lokrum island.

✨ Highlights

1
Gibraltar on a 37-Metre Cliff
On a red platform 37 metres up outside the western walls, open on three sides, guarding the Pile Gate approach and Kolorina Bay - 'Dubrovnik's Gibraltar'.
2
The Three-Month Legend
Legend says Ragusa built the fort in three months in the 11th century to thwart Venice; the first firm record dates to 1301.
3
Twelve Metres and Sixty
The seaward wall is 12 metres thick against bombardment while the city side is only 60 centimetres - a fail-safe so the town's guns could retake a rebel fort.
4
The Latin Motto
Above the entrance is carved that freedom is not sold for all the world's gold - almost a footnote to the Republic of Ragusa's whole ethos.
5
Shakespeare and the Red Keep
An open-air stage since 1952, famous above all for Hamlet; it also played the Red Keep in Game of Thrones, with Joffrey's tournament filmed inside.
6
The Guster Cannon
Of the fort's ten cannons, the famed 'Guster' (the Lizard), cast in 1537, never fired a shot and was lost to the Adriatic while being moved under Austria.

🛈 Practical Info

→Duration：45-60 minutes: the climb, the three terraces and courtyard, and the wall panoramas; best walked on the same day as the wall circuit
→Best time：Enter at opening for the fewest people; evening light gilds the red rock and city walls, and the pre-sunset view from the fort is one of the city's finest
→Worth it?：Yes - the walls ticket already covers it, and the angle over the whole wall stretch and Bokar fort cannot be had elsewhere; but the interiors are simple, so come for the view and the structure
→Watch out：Over 200 steep steps up: grippy shoes and water, with almost no shade on the rock; the cliff edge is dangerous in strong wind; the courtyard may close in festival season
→Combine with：Link it with the wall circuit, Banje beach and the western gate; from the sea side you can look across to Bokar fort and the Lokrum island ferries
→Opening Hours：Usually 9:00-18:00/19:00, shorter in winter and varying by season - follow on-site notices
→Ticket Information：Covered by the 2026 EUR 40 walls ticket, which also includes the Western Outer Wall and is valid 72 hours; a Lovrijenac-only ticket does not include the walls
→Transportation：Cliff W of old town

💡 Tips

• The EUR 40 walls ticket already covers the fort - no separate purchase needed.
• Over 200 steep steps up: grippy shoes and water.
• Enter at opening for the fewest people; evening light reddens the rock.
• Do not miss the contrast between the 12-metre sea wall and the 60-centimetre city wall.
• The Latin motto above the entrance sums up the Ragusan idea of freedom.
• Game of Thrones fans can orient the Red Keep and tournament shots here.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Lovrijenac Fort?

Usually 9:00-18:00/19:00, shorter in winter and varying by season - follow on-site notices

How much is the admission for Lovrijenac Fort?

Covered by the 2026 EUR 40 walls ticket, which also includes the Western Outer Wall and is valid 72 hours; a Lovrijenac-only ticket does not include the walls

Any practical tips for visiting Lovrijenac Fort?

The EUR 40 walls ticket already covers the fort - no separate purchase needed. Over 200 steep steps up: grippy shoes and water.

How long should I spend at Lovrijenac Fort?

A typical visit takes 45-60 minutes including over 200 stone steps up.

Fort hours vary by season and may shorten or close in winter; during the July-August Summer Festival the courtyard may be restricted for rehearsals and performances. Compiled October 2026.