Inside Dubrovnik’s Walls

The drawbridge leading to the Pile Gate

Dubrovnik is a maze of narrow streets all tucked safely away behind its’ towering city walls and gates, complete with drawbridges that were raised nightly to protect the city from Barbaric invasions. Today, the drawbridge at the Pile gate remains lowered and Dubrovnik’s patron saint, Saint Blaise, stands watch over tourists as they stream into the city.

Stradun

The Clock Tower

Dubrovnik’s main street, Placa or Stradun, runs from one wall to the other, punctuated by its’ illustrious clock tower. The wide, gleaming limestone street is lined with shops and cafes. Strains of music drift through the air as street musicians strum their guitars and colorful macaws entertain wide-eyed adults with their tricks.

The round Onofrio Fountain is surrounded by 16 different carved masks and was the collection point as water flowed into the city from an aquaduct 12 kilometers away. It also served as a fresh water source when the city was on lock down during the 1991-92 siege when Serbian and Montenegrin forces shelled and badly damaged 68% of the city, including the Onofrio Fountain.

Saint Blase Church

The Church of Saint Blaise stands at the end of the Stradun and is the place where all festivals either start or end. The church was almost completely destroyed in the 1667 earthquake and was rebuilt in 1715. All that remains of the original structure is a 15th century statue of Saint Blaise holding a model of Medieval Dubrovnik in his hand.

Orlando’s Column

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