Rising 37 metres above the Adriatic Sea the Lovrijenac Fortress is an imposing structure that is part of the Dubrovnik City Walls defence system. Believed to be constructed in the 11th century the fortress dominates the western entrance to the historic Old City of Dubrovnik.
Triangular in shape the thickness of the walls reaches up to 12 metres towards the seaside, however on the sides facing the land the thickness is only 60 centimetres. The reason for this differing thickness was that the fortress had its own commander and in case he decided to rebel the cannons from the city walls could easily break through the thinner inland walls. An inscription over the gate on the entrance to the fortress reads “Non Bene Pro Toto Libertas Venditur Auro” – “Freedom is not to be sold for all the gold in the world.”
One of the most iconic landmarks in Dubrovnik Lovrijenac has been used by many international theatre productions and often hosts the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. It is also one of the main locations for the popular Game of Thrones serial, where it plays the Red Keep.