Walls of Dubrovnik
Walls of Dubrovnik is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Dubrovnik audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~30 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Dubrovnik Dubrovnik guide
About Walls of Dubrovnik
Climb the polished stone and walk the full loop of Dubrovnik's ramparts, nearly two kilometres of towers, bastions and sea-blue views, the town's single most-walked sight.
The Walls of Dubrovnik (Gradske zidine) are a continuous stone circuit enclosing the Old Town, running roughly 1,940 metres around and rising in places to about 25 metres. Built and expanded chiefly between the 13th and 17th centuries by the merchant Republic of Ragusa, they form not a single wall but an integrated defensive system of around sixteen towers, three large fortresses, six bastions, corner fortifications, bulwarks, moats and two drawbridges. The wall is thickest on the vulnerable landward side, roughly four to six metres, and much thinner facing the sea. The last major addition, the Bastion of St Stephen, was completed in 1660.
While the Republic endured, the walls were never taken by a hostile army and survived the devastating 1667 earthquake, though the Old Town was heavily shelled during the 1991-92 siege and later restored. The walls are part of the UNESCO-listed Old City, inscribed in 1979, and the one-way wall walk is Dubrovnik's most-visited attraction.
Did you know? The walls are deliberately lopsided: up to six metres thick where they face the land and a possible army, but as little as a metre and a half where they face the open, unassailable sea.
How long should you spend at Walls of Dubrovnik?
Plan about ~30 min at Walls of Dubrovnik. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Walls of Dubrovnik worth visiting?
Walls of Dubrovnik is one of the 18 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Dubrovnik, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Dubrovnik
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Walls of Dubrovnik and read more:
Day 1 of the Dubrovnik in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Walls of Dubrovnik
Preview the Dubrovnik tour free in the Gingerguide app.