What it's really like to... walk the Old Town walls of Dubrovnik Croatia
Whether a Game of Thrones fans, a history buff or one who enjoys simple but vibrant aesthetics, a walk along the old town wall of Dubrovnik is sure to not be a let down. The wall was built in the 10th century to protect the city from attacks from Serbia and extends 2km around the edge of the town. The walk takes up to 2 hours to complete and has a number of entrance point along the walls - at Pile Gate (the main entrance), at Ploce Gate and at St Ivan fort (click here to view these on a map). This means that you can actually tour the town via the old walls, by walking down to the town at each of the gates to explore that quarter of the charming vicinity or perhaps go for a swim at one of the many 'hole in the wall' cliff beaches along the way. Until that day comes, join me on a virtual tour around the wall of Dubrovnik's old town.
As the closest to my hotel, I chose to begin at the Pile Gate entrance. So, for the purposes of this tour begin at the Pile Gate entrance. Once you enter Stradun through the Pile Gate, you'll find the entrance to the walls on your left-hand side. Don't fret if you don't already have a permit as you can buy one here for just 100 HRK (no Euros accepted though). Upon reaching the top of the wall head to your left, exploring the lookouts as you pass through, until you reach Fort Bokar. Construction of this Fort (of which you can see featured in Game of Thrones here) began in the 15th century and took 100 years to complete! In the 19th century it was even used under Austrian rule as a prison. From the walls of Bokar, you are offered arguably the best view of the outer Lovrijenac Fortress, looming on a rock 45 metres high; protecting the old town and Pile Gate from attack by both sea and land.
As you turn the corner, the scenery quickly changes from the more public side of Dubrovnik that is the endless sea of orange roof tops and fortresses, to the more private side that is people's backyards on your left and bikini-clad bathers at the cliff-side beaches to your right.
The next corner will conveniently set you at the next highlight and entrance point - St Ivan (St John) Fortress. This fortress was built in the 14th century to protect the port and the city on the southeastern side. Be sure to head back down to town, to be charmed by the Dubrovnik cathedral, Rector's Palace and the Church of St. Blaise. For you maritime buffs, the maritime museum is also housed here up on the wall. Oh and keep a look out for adorable cats/kittens and the stunning Karaka ship (which you can take cruises on!)
As you pass over the port, prepare for a steep climb as you head towards the chess-piece that is the Minceta Tower. The tower - which you may remember Daenerys angrily trying to get inside to rescue her dragons at the end of Season 2 of Game of Thrones - began construction after the fall of Constantinople in 1453 which so alarmed the Republic of Dubrovnik that they decided to strengthen their defenses. Climbing up to the top of the tower offers what is in my opinion the best view of the old town - but I'll leave you to decide for yourself below. After exiting the tower, prepare to experience a sense of deja vu and bittersweet sadness as your climb comes to the end and you return full
