Fort Revelin

Fort Revelin is a massive Renaissance fortress at Svetog Dominika 1, guarding the eastern land approach to the Old Town of Dubrovnik, Croatia, beside Ploce Gate. It was rebuilt between 1538 and 1549 under the Italian military engineer Antonio Ferramolino, after the Republic of Ragusa feared an Ottoman or Venetian attack, and it stands detached from the main walls behind a moat and a stone bridge. The thick walls, low profile and large vaulted rooms were designed to withstand cannon fire. Today the fort houses exhibitions of the Dubrovnik Museums, notably the archaeological collection, which presents finds from the city and region in vaulted chambers, and it has a roof terrace with views over the Old Port, Lokrum island and the Ploce Gate area. Visitors enter across the bridge, tour the rooms in about 30 to 45 minutes and finish on the top terrace. The fort also hosts events during the Dubrovnik Summer Festival and concerts, and its large inner spaces are used as a venue. Admission to the archaeological exhibition is about EUR 5, with students at EUR 3 and children under 7 free; the fort is included in the 10 Museums ticket at EUR 20. Opening hours run roughly 09:00 to 16:00, closed on Wednesdays. Mid-morning is a good time to visit, when the museum is quiet and the terrace is not yet hot. The fort is a five to seven minute walk from Stradun via Ploce Gate, and it sits close to the Dominican Monastery, Lazareti and Banje Beach, so it combines well with a morning on the east side of the city. For photographs, the terrace provides a view of the harbour and the walls from above. The lack of crowds makes it a calm contrast to the City Walls.