The monumental walls that encircle Dubrovnik, punctuated by towers and overlooking the sea, are undoubtedly the city's most famous feature. The oldest system of fortifications around the town were probably wooden palisades but that is merely speculation.
What is certain is that a fortification system was already being built in the 12th century. The bulk of the existing walls and fortifications was constructed during the 14th and 15th centuries but they were continually extended and strengthened up to and including the 17th century.
Dubrovnik's walls measure 2km around but the thickness varies. On the landward side, the walls are four to six metres thick and on the seaward side only 1 1/2 to three metres. It's easy to tell where Dubrovnik's builders thought the threat was! The height also varies according to the configuration of the terrain; in some places it reaches 25m.
At the foot of the western and northern walls there was a moat (Posat) and to reinforce the defences there were turrets and towers. For good measure the builders added five bastions, three round and twelve rectangular towers, two corner forts and the massive St. Ivan at the entrance. The fore walls following the base of the main walls were also strengthened by semi-circular bastions and the Bokar tower.
As you look down at the town, notice the patchwork of colours formed by the red-roofs. Some are brand-new and some are centuries-old. The shelling of 1991 left gaping holes Dubrovnik's distinctive terra cotta roofs. Some were repaired with tiles from a factory in Slovenia, some came from Agen, France but most were produced in northern Croatia.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
