The Porporela Breakwater – Dubrovnik

Porporela is the most famous part of Dubrovnik's old town and a favourite bathing spot for many. The name Porporela derives from the Latin word purpura, which translated into Croatian means an artificial line of reefs, small rocks, cliffs or shores built from a series of reefs. Porporela is mentioned in Dubrovnik as far back as 1367, under the name porporaria, from which the derivative and today's name Porporela came.

How did the story of Dubrovnik's breakwater begin?

It all began in 1873, by order of the maritime port authority from Trieste. The need for a breakwater was evident even then, given that Dubrovnik was a city with strong maritime trade and fishing, and lived off shipping traffic.

An interesting event occurred in 1879, when a very stormy spell of weather accompanied by large waves threw up onto the Porporela a stone with a mass of 3,159 kilograms. That stone was later built into the Kaše breakwater, and today represents a kind of attraction and a reminder of the power of weather conditions along the coast and on the open sea.

Porporela today in a tourist context

Today Porporela is a favourite gathering place for young people of Dubrovnik and the city's guests. It is a place where various concerts, popular festivities and sporting competitions are organised.

The best-known sporting competition is the water polo Wild League, in which amateur clubs from Dubrovnik's beaches and bathing spots take part. We should mention the result of VK Porporela, a club that was the winner of the competition in the 2007 season.

The best-known popular festivity on the breakwater is "Porporela Night", and all the proceeds from the festivity are intended for charitable purposes.

A rocky bathing spot in Dubrovnik – Porporela

Below the walls of the Old Town lies Porporela. This place can be described as a rocky bathing spot located in the old town itself. The bathing spot lies behind the old city harbour, which gives bathers a special charm and a wonderful view of arriving and departing ships.

The breakwater at Porporela was built by Austria-Hungary, and the works began in 1873.

Here mostly locals bathe, but tourists also dare to come to feel a mild thrill – one might even dare to write a light rush of adrenaline. Matches of the popular water polo Wild League are often played here. In the evening, gentle tones of pleasant music can be heard on the beach, and interestingly there are bathers there throughout the whole year, even in winter when the weather is fine and it is not raining. The place is known for its romance, especially in the evening hours.

This place is special both in the history of Dubrovnik and in the hearts of its inhabitants. For years this stone protection of the city harbour has become a favourite promenade for Dubrovnik residents and visitors to the City. It is an attraction that many can enjoy today, all those who visit Dubrovnik.