Dubrovnik is a picturesque tourist town in the south of Croatia, located by the Adriatic Sea. It attracts many domestic and foreign visitors throughout the year. It is known for its characteristic old town surrounded by massive stone walls.
The walls of Dubrovnik are considered one of the best-preserved defensive systems from the Middle Ages. They are one of the most visited attractions of the city and the best-known landmark of the old part of the city under UNESCO protection. The walls were built to protect the city from unannounced enemy attacks. The walls vary in thickness and height, reaching a height of up to 25 meters in certain areas. The thickness of the walls varies from 1.5 meters to 6 meters. Those facing the sea are thinner, and those facing the land are thicker. The walls of Dubrovnik are about two kilometers long and offer magnificent views of the old part of the city, the island of Lokrum and the sea. The entire defense system consists of three forts, two towers, six bastions, the main wall and other elements. The highest point of Dubrovnik's walls is the Minčeta tower, a monumental fortress from the 14th century. On the opposite side is the Revelin fortress, which dates back to the 16th century and offers a view over the old city harbor and the eastern entrance to the city, the Ploče Gate. It represents the eastern defensive fortress of the city of Dubrovnik. The fortress was built at the time of the greatest Turkish danger. The Turks captured Bosnia in 1462. The name of the fortress comes from the word rivelino, which means a type of fortification built opposite the city gates, so that they could be protected as much as possible from enemy attacks. The free-standing fort was supposed to additionally protect the land access to the gate from Ploč. Construction began in 1538 and lasted 11 years. It was led by Antonio Ferramolin. During the construction period of the fortress, the construction of all others was suspended in order to complete it as soon as possible. It has an irregular quadrangular floor plan. It descends towards the sea on one side, and is protected by a deep ditch on the other three sides. Across the defense moat, the bridge abuts the entrance to the town at the gate from Ploč. In addition to defensive purposes, Revelin also served as an administrative center and city council meetings were held there.
The treasury of the cathedral, the state treasury and all other important city treasures were transferred there. The Revelin fortress was built with such quality that the devastating earthquake of 1667 did not affect it. It was considered the strongest city fortress.