Location: Pile neighbourhood, western city walls, outside the Pile Gate, Dubrovnik
Venue style: Outdoor cliff-top amphitheatre · historic fortress stage · Dubrovnik Summer Festival
History
Fort Lovrijenac stands on a 37-metre sea cliff west of Dubrovnik's Pile Gate, built within three months in the early 11th century after Dubrovnik's citizens raced to prevent Venice constructing a fort on the same site. Its walls are 12 metres thick on the seaward face and just 60 centimetres on the city-facing side — so a rebellious commander could never hold it against his own city. Above the gate the inscription reads: 'Non Bene Pro Toto Libertas Venditur Auro' ('Liberty Cannot Be Sold for All The Gold in the World') — the motto of the Republic of Ragusa. Since 1952 it has been the defining outdoor stage of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. Shakespeare's Hamlet has been performed here by Derek Jacobi, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Goran Višnjić. Sunsets over the Adriatic during evening performances are spectacular. The fort also served as a Game of Thrones filming location.
Visitor notes
Check the venue's own site for schedules, bag policy and parking before you go.