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The
Lovrijenac fortress
is also known as "Dubrovnik's Gibraltar" and it is believed that it
was first constructed in the 11th century. According to the legend,
the people of Dubrovnik built a fort here in the record time of just
3 months in order to forestall the Venetians who planned to build a
fortress on the same spot, from which they could control the city.
The present day fort was built in 14th century and was constantly
reconstructed since. It has a triangular shape with three terraces.
Lovrijenac rises on the reef 37 meters high. The thickness of walls
facing the outside dangers reaches 12 meters and at the same time
the part of the walls facing the city is only 60 cm thick. To insure
that the commander of the fort wouldn't be tempted to turn his guns
towards the city and establish dictatorship, people of Dubrovnik
selected new commander of the forth every month. Alive testimony to
these events is an inscription "NON BENE PRO TOTO LIBERTAS VENDITUR
AURO" – Freedom is not to be sold for all the treasures in the world
placed above the gate of the two drawbridges that lead to the fort.
Lovrijenac dominates the western land and sea approaches to the city
and it played an important role in the defense of the city. Lately
Lovrijenac has proven to be perfectly suitable as a cultural stage,
particular for the performances of Shakespeare's "Hamlet", whose
performance on Lovrijenac became a trademark of Dubrovnik summer
festival. |
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