St Johns Fort

The fortress was built in 1346 under the name of the "mule" fortress (Tvrđava od mula). Later, the Gundulić fortress was built nearby. Both fortresses were connected by towers in 1522, and since 1557 they have formed the shape we can see today. The interior of the fortress originally housed a large gunpowder warehouse. The city harbor was defended on the north side by the smaller St. Luke's fortress, while on the south side this role was played by the St. John's fortress. Initially, a chain was stretched between the two fortresses to prevent unwanted ships from entering the harbor. The chain was there until 1484, when the Kaše breakwater was built. Today, the premises of the St. John's fortress preserve a significant part of the cultural treasures from the Republic era. It also houses the collections of the Maritime Museum and Aquarium and the Institute for the Sea and Coast. It looks powerful and strong, and when viewed from the sea it leaves a magnificent impression. The view of the city from the sea is ... magnificent - like you're in Game of Thrones.

The only words I can use to describe what has happened here are archeological travesty. Basically it is my view that it has been an incorrect decision to jetwash out the many layers of old sealant around the fortresses original stonework. Then to have re-sealed the stonework with plain concrete, worse still it looks over concreted around the stones so some parts of the fortress now look like a flat concrete blob. The situation gets even worse still, as there also seems to be a concrete wash either deliberately or a consequence of the over concreting on some of the original stone work. The likely consequence of this will be that moisture will become trapped in the stonework & damp will be held within the walls & the structure will start to decay from within over time!! I have enclosed some photos to illustrate my findings. As I have mentioned, asthetically the structure now looks like a concrete block, some of the natural colour of the stonework (mainly brown) is gone in places. As is some of the original texture of the old stonework.

The Dubrovnik Old Town Port is a picturesque and lively hub that perfectly complements the city’s historic charm. Surrounded by ancient stone walls, the port offers stunning views of the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea and the city’s iconic red rooftops. It’s a bustling spot with ferries, private boats, and yachts coming and going. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the harbor, relax at waterfront cafés, or take boat trips to nearby islands. With its vibrant atmosphere and scenic beauty, it’s a must-see when exploring Dubrovnik.

It’s on the city walls walk, but it’s under construction when we visited on Friday 29th August 2025. We only can walk pass it.

the place where the TV series Game of Thrones took place this is a must visit ! 🇭🇷❤️🥰🫶🏻

Allows you to see a different view of the city. Some game of thrones scenes were filmed here as well. Once you buy the ticket for the city walls the entrance for the St Ivana Fort is included! Do not buy twice!

Mighty walls and artillery batteries, now the site of a nice promenade and even a quiet swimming spot on the outside of the harbour. The beauty of Dubrovnik historical centre is that it is very compact, every feature is very close to the other, so that you can walk from this point to the up-hill terraces and walls in just a few minutes.

Good view from there, sit along the sea or walk around is nice.