Bokar Fortress history

Designed and mostly built during the 1460s by Michelozzo di Bartololmeo, an Italian architect considered to be one of the great Renaissance pioneers, Bokar Fortress is one of the world’s finest examples of ‘harmonious and functional fortification architecture’ and was built to defend the western entrance to the city of Dubrovnik. It was the key defendense structure for the strategically vital Pile Gate.

The fort was finally completed in 1570 after a century of debate as to whether it should actually be finished.

Often called ‘Zvjezdan’, a Serbo-Croat word meaning ‘starry’, presumably for the amazing views of the light pollution-free night sky as you look out into the Adriatic Sea, parts of the magnificent, almost perfectly cylindrical fort are perched on a detached rock allowing the sea water to pass beneath it – which can still be seen today.

Bokar Fortress today

Today, the fort is open all year round and is perhaps most famous as a venue for performances of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival.

The fairytale-esque Bokar Fortress featured in seasons two and three of Game of Thrones and is perhaps best seen when Varys informs Tyrion he’s ‘quite good’ at being the hand of the king.

Getting to Bokar Fortress

The fortress is a half an hour walk from the historic centre of Dubrovnik. Visitors can also reach it within 5 minutes by car from the same place.

Church of Saint Blaise history

The Church of Saint Blaise was built between 1706-1714, commissioned by Dubrovnik’s Senate to replace the original Romanesque church destroyed in 1706 during a fire. At this time, Dubrovnik was in a period of economic ‘decline’: the Mediterranean trade was overshadowed by the Atlantic, and the city had been decimated by the 1667 earthquake.

Additionally, despite being continuously in conflict with Venice, another important Mediterranean port, Dubrovnik’s culture was nonetheless heavily influenced by its Venetian merchant class, explaining the choice of Venetian master Marino Gropelli as the church’s architect amidst hostility between the republics.

The church’s Corinthian columns, angels and gold-leafing combined neoclassical Venetian architecture with the popular 18th century Baroque style, favoured by the Catholic Church for its ostentatious opposition from Protestant simplicity. Dubrovnik was the seat of a Cardinal Protectorate, so the Church of Saint Blaise’s design asserted strong ties with Rome, while showcasing Dubrovnik as wealthy and fashionable during a period of increasing political and economic vulnerability.

The Church of Saint Blaise’s lavish Baroque interior included a marble high altar displaying a 15th century gilt silver statue of Saint Blaise holding a scale model of the former Gothic church formerly occupying the site. Only this statue survived the devastating 1706 fire, the model capturing Dubrovnik’s architecture before the earthquake.

Church of Saint Blaise today

Explore the Church of Saint Blaise’s ornate Baroque interior with free admission. Outside, the church’s wide staircase and terrace is the perfect spot to watch the world go by. Late visitors can also admire the spectacular balustrade and stained glass lit up at night, and if you happen to be in Dubrovnik for the 3 February you can catch the Feast of Saint Blaise including a procession, parade and street celebrations.

Getting to the Church of Saint Blaise

Find the Church of Saint Blaise in the bustling Luza Square, which you can reach via public transport on bus lines 1A, 1B, 3 or 8 from the main bus station and port. The Church is also at the eastern end of the Stradun, Dubrovnik’s pedestrianized thoroughfare, easily found on foot. Cars are not allowed within the Old Town, but parking bays are located nearby at Ploce gate in Petra Kresimira street.

Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola history

Dissatisfied with Italian scholars, in 1555 Beccaddeli the bishop of Dubrovnik sought the help of the newly founded Jesuit order (Society of Jesus) to open a college in the city. The Jesuits had been the first religious order to operate colleges, incorporating Renaissance humanism into teaching Catholic thought. The Collegium Ragusinum was to be the first educational institution in Dubrovnik, eventually excelling in the natural sciences and arts.

It was not until 1653 that the Jesuit record Gianbattista Canauli drew up plans to alter the entire urban structure of the city’s oldest suburb to accommodate the college and church.

Despite demolishing housing to provide space, the building project was delayed due to the 1667 earthquake that levelled much of Dubrovnik. By the end of the century the project resumed with renowned Jesuit artist, Iganzio Pozzo, finalising the plans.

The Jesuits highly encouraged the arts, celebrating the use of decoration in Catholic devotion. Built in the flamboyant Baroque style, the church was completed in 1725. Dubrovnik had long been a Roman Cardinal Protectorate, so the building of this ostentatious church signalled the city’s status as both fashionable and deeply religious.

Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola today

Make a pilgrimage to the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola in the Poljana Ruđera Boškovića Square to admire Croatia’s finest example of Baroque design. Inside, you can see Gaetano Garcia’s exquisite frescoes depicting the life of the church’s namesake, Ignatius of Loyola. The church also features the oldest bell in Dubrovnik, cast in 1355 by Viventius and his son Viator.

For Game of Thrones fans, transport yourself to Westeros by climbing the famous Baroque staircase in front of the church, recognisable for its role in the HBO series. Alternatively, you can catch one of the daily English masses at 11am, April to November, or simply enjoy the church’s reverence.

Getting to Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola

Located in Dubrovnik’s pedestrianised Old Town, the church is inaccessible by car. You can find roadside parking outside the Old Town walls. Via public transport, bus lines 1A, 1B, 3 or 8 from the main bus station and port take you to stop Iza Grada, a 9-minute walk to the church.

Dubrovnik history

While many historical sources date its establishment to the 7th or even 5th century, it is known that Dubrovnik and its ‘old city’ became a powerful merchant town in the 13th century and operated as a free state until the 18th.

Considered to be the cultural centre of Croatia, many of its stunning medieval buildings survive despite a host of challenging events throughout its history. These include in 1667 when the city suffered a devastating earthquake, several attacks including being invaded by the Nazis, and a 7-month siege by the Yugoslav People’s Army in 1991.

Amongst its many draws are its churches, such as the beautiful Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary with its impressive organ, the Church of St. Ignatius, the Church of St Blaise (patron saint of Dubrovnik) and the Franciscan Monastery which houses the third oldest pharmacy in the world. Many of Dubrovnik’s churches are built in a classic Baroque style.

Dubrovnik today

Dubrovnik’s main street is Stradun, where the Large Onofrio Fountain can be found and in nearby Luza Square one can see the city’s symbol of peace, Orlando Column. Also within the vicinity of the buzzing Luza Square are the 15th-century buildings of Sponza Palace and Ducal Palace, both of which have served important secular roles in Dubrovnik’s history.

Other gems include the Zelenci statues (or at least the new replicas of the originals), located at the top of the Bell Tower near the Polce entrance to Dubrovnik, where a giant bell tolls on the hour.

Fans of Game of Thrones will also be able to trace the steps of some of their favourite characters from the show, as much of Westeros’ infamous capital city of King’s Landing was filmed there!

Getting to Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is located in southern Croatia, and is accessible from most places via the country’s substantial highway and road network. The closest airport is Tivat in Montenegro, with daily international flights also coming into Zagreb. Many buses connect Dubrovnik to other cities in Croatia, as well as its multiple sea links.

History of Dubrovnik Cathedral

The cathedral was built on the site of several formal cathedrals, including 7th, 10th, and 11th century buildings, and their 12th century successor in a Romanesque style.

The current Baroque-style Dubrovnik Cathedral was completed in 1713, with the previous one  – which was a luxurious domed basilica decorated with many statues – having been destroyed in an earthquake in 1667.

There is a legend attached to Dubrovnik Cathedral. It is said that Richard the Lionheart was shipwrecked in Dubrovnik in 1192. As a votive for his survival, he contributed funds towards building the cathedral.

The current cathedral has been damaged multiple times since it was built: firstly, during the 1979 Montenegro earthquake, and then during the Siege of Dubrovnik in 1991.

Dubrovnik Cathedral Today

Today, visitors and locals enjoy the Roman Baroque style cathedral as both an attraction and a place of worship. The portal is flanked by four Corinthian columns. A large Baroque window with a balustrade with statues of saints also decorates the cathedral, while a polyptych by Titian portraying the Assumption of the Virgin decorates the main altar.

One of the highlights of Dubrovnik Cathedral is its treasury, which contains a large collection of 182 relics. These include relics from different regents, relics from the head, arm, and leg of Dubrovnik patron saint St Blasius, sacral dishes from the 13th to 18th centuries, and a large number of precious paintings.

The treasury also contains a number of wonderful paintings from the Romanesque-Byzantine icon of the Virgin with Child from the 13th century as well as paintings by Padovanini, Palma il Giovane, Parmigianino and P. Bordone.

While in Dubrovnik, check out our guides about the nearby Pile Gate, the Dubrovnik Homeland War Museum, Dubrovnik City Walls, and St John Fort Dubrovnik.

Getting to Dubrovnik Cathedral

From the centre of Dubrovnik, the cathedral is reachable around 30 minutes via the Ul. Andrije Hebranga and Zagrebačka Ul. roads, which take you through the centre of Dubrovnik’s historic and pretty centre. By car, it is reachable in around 10 minutes via the Zagrebačka Ul. road.

Today, Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Dubrovnik City Walls history

In the 9th century, Saracens besieged Dubrovnik for 15 months. The earliest settlement upon the islet was protected by walls. The City first spread over the uninhabited eastern part of the Laus islet. During the 9th and the 10th century, the eastern section was included within the defensive walls.

The City was separated from the mainland by the sea channel which was filled with earth in the 11th century and by the 13th century, the whole city was enclosed with the walls. Dubrovnik’s Dominican Monastery became a part of the walls in the 14th century. At the same time, 15 square forts to increase the strength.

The design derives from the 14th century and the definitive shape as we see it today was fixed around the fall of Constantinople in 1453; also the period referred to as the ‘Golden Age’ of Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik City Walls today

Now measuring an impressive 2 kilometres in length, the Dubrovnik City Walls, dotted with imposing forts and gates, remain the city’s dominant landmark. One of the most impressive of these is Pile Gate – a robust gothic construction dating back to 1537 which is usually the starting point of a walk around the Dubrovnik City Walls.

Ploče Gate is the main entrance to the Old Town from the eastern side which also has a bridge like Pile Gate. This gate (also known as Vrata od Ploca) was built in the 14th century.

The walls themselves are generally 6 metres thick and 24 metres in height. Today, a walk along the Dubrovnik City Walls is an unmissable part of your visit and provides a fantastic overview of the city’s history.

Getting to Dubrovnik City Walls

Dubrovnik’s City Walls are literally unmissable when visiting the city, encircling the Old Town’s most notable sites and leading out onto Dubrovnik’s beautiful beaches and hotels.