Fort Revelin

It is hard to believe that the great Fort Revelin was built in a hurry, but this was the case when, in the mid-16th century, the Ragusan Republic faced a threat from Venice. Indeed, all public works ground to a halt in aid of this project. Intended to defend Dubrovnik’s eastern side, Fort Revelin is an imposing stronghold often referred to just as ‘Revelin’. Today, it is also home to the city’s archaeological museum.

History of Fort Revelin

Fort Revelin is a fort outside of the eastern city gates of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

It was built in 1463 during a period of threat from the Ottoman Empire, who conquered Constantinople in 1453 and were about to occupy nearby Bosnia (occupied 1463.)

Fort Revelin was built as a detached fortress providing additional protection to the eastern City Gate, with the name deriving from ‘rivelino’, a term within fortification architecture which refers to forts built opposite the weakest points of the city, or opposite the city gates, with the purpose of reinforcing the defensive position.

The fort was originally a mound-like entrenchment. However, following the danger of Venetian attack during the First Holy League, it was necessary to strengthen Fort Revelin. In 1538, the Senate approved a design for a much stronger fort, with all other construction work in the city being postponed for 11 years in order to concentrate on completing it as quickly as possible.

The largest of the old-town forts, Revelin has an irregular quadrilateral shape, with its entrance at the southern side. It is surrounded by both sea and a ditch. A bridge which dates from the mid-15th century leads from Revelin, over the ditch, and into the inner city gates.

The fortress is so well-constructed that it survived the devastating earthquake of 1667. As a result, Fort Revelin became the administration centre of the Republic afterwards, with Council sessions held and treasures stored there.

Fort Revelin Today

Today, the Fort is visited by tourists and locals alike who want to enjoy the history of the fort as well as admire the views of the City Harbour and nearby Fort Saint John.

There’s also a small archaeological museum inside that contains a number of religious and historic treasures.

Part of the fort has also been converted into a nightclub for those who want to really immerse themselves in the Fort Revelin experience!

Getting to Fort Revelin

From the centre of Dubrovnik, the fort is reachable in around half an hour by foot, via Ul. Andrije Hebranga and Zagrebačka Ul. By car, it takes around 10 minute via Zagrebačka Ul.