Walls of Dubrovnik, Dubrovačke gradske zidine, Dubrovnik, Croatia
The city of Dubrovnik is very special – and one of the things that makes it so is the fact that it’s a cute little toy town, cuddled by defensive walls. The effect is very picturesque when viewed from a distance, but it’s really amazing to be able to walk along the walls and get to peek into the lives of those who live along the route.
Since the 14th century the city has been enclosed by fortified walls, although different parts were built at different times. The thickness of the walls varies along the route, with the side facing the sea being narrower (5-10 feet) than on the land side (13-20 feet).
We started our walk at the Pile Gate entrance and went anti-clockwise around the walls. There’s not much to say about the journey, but I hope the pictures give a sense of what it was like.
So In Summary
For me, walking the walls was a real highlight of my trip to Dubrovnik. It’s a good way to get to know the city’s main buildings, but it’s also fascinating to get glimpses into the lives of people who live by the walls – to see the way they’ve arranged gardens, window boxes or how they ingeniously contrive to hang their washing.
But also – Dubrovnik is beautiful. From every angle. Walking the walls makes you appreciate how perfect the city is and how lucky its residents are to be living there.
Further Information
Not only do the walls have their own website, in English, but it’s also rather informative. If you want information about the fortresses, check them out: www.wallsofdubrovnik.com
The walls are apparently 1,940 metres long and can be walked, according to their own website, in about 2 hours. However, there are 3 entry/exit point around the walls, so if you find that you don’t like the walk, or only want to do a particular route, it’s pretty straightforward to escape.
I should also point out a few things that people should consider: the walls are not a consistent height all the way round and they are sometimes really quite low. The route is also very up and downy and sometimes you do get pretty high above the surrounding buildings, which started to get a bit dizzying for me.
I really don’t recommend this walk for anyone who isn’t steady on their feet.
Also, the sea-side of the walls have numerous bars, shops, and some toilets – whereas the rest of the loop doesn’t. So if you feel you need to sit and have a drink, consider doing so before you get to the St John’s Fortress.
How To Get There
This map shows, through the use of orange arrows, the entrance points of the walls: www.godubrovnik.com
The main entrance to the walls is between Pile Gate and the Holy Saviour Church: between no. 3 and 4. The second is near the Ploce Gate, next to no. 9 on the map. The third is at the back of the St John’s Fortress, by no. 29 on the map.
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