Revelin Fortress – Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is full of fortresses, towers and old walls. We have already written about many of them, so let us also mention Revelin Fortress. Revelin Fortress is located northeast of the Dubrovnik city walls. It is separated from them only by a deep moat and connected by a bridge. Like the other fortresses, its purpose was defence against the Turks.

History of Revelin Fortress

The need to build this fortification is first mentioned in 1449. The fortress acquired its present appearance according to the design of Antonio Ferramolino of Bergamo. In 1538 he conceived and made a model on the basis of the existing fortification, according to which Revelin Fortress was later built. It has a distinctive shape and resembles a massive fortress with an irregular quadrangular ground plan and a sharp northeastern corner. The model was adopted by the Council of the Rogati on Monday, 30 December 1538, and construction began the following year. The construction of Revelin was completed in 1551.

After the earthquake of 1667 the fortress became the administrative centre of the Republic of Dubrovnik, and the state treasury and the cathedral treasury were moved into it.

Interesting facts about the fortress

During the construction of the fortress a special regulation was introduced, according to which everyone coming to Dubrovnik had to bring with them one stone, whose size was to be appropriate to the physique of the person bringing it.

During archaeological excavations inside Revelin Fortress between 1983 and 1986, numerous remains of walls and buildings from the time before Revelin were found, the most interesting of which is the furnace of the master bell and cannon founder Ivan Krstitelj Rabljanin.

Revelin Dubrovnik owner

In recent years a great deal of dust has been raised around Revelin Fortress, and its lease was the subject of an investigation by USKOK on suspicion that Mayor Vlahušić had agreed, before the public tender, that the fortress would be leased to Lukša Franković of Dubrovnik. Today the fortress is the most expensive city venue, with an annual rent of as much as 4 million kuna.

Performances of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival take place on the terrace of the fortress, and various concerts are organised inside it.

Revelin lies east of the city walls and is an integral part of the tourist tour of the Old Town. Few people are aware of it, but Revelin Fortress is also known for having served as the home of Ivan Rabljanin, the famous cannon maker. He moved to Dubrovnik at the beginning of the 16th century, when he was given a workshop with an apartment in Revelin. His cannons were used in the city towers and on Dubrovnik galleys. In addition, during his lifetime Ivan Rabljanin also cast a great many bells.

Musical spectacles at Revelin Fortress

Today the fortress hosts electronic music concerts, festivals and dance entertainment programmes. The biggest names in the world of music come and perform within the fortress walls. A special entertainment programme is also organised in the fan zone for following the World Cup in Dubrovnik.

Revelin is known in Dubrovnik, and far beyond, as a hospitality and exhibition venue. Various entertainment and cultural events are held there. They include such different performances as those within the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, as well as gigs by famous international DJs and local musicians. The latter can be thanked to Culture Club Revelin, which can probably be regarded as the club with the most spectacular location on the Croatian Adriatic coast.

Come too, have fun and spend unforgettable moments in Revelin Fortress.

Nearby sights: Culture Club Revelin (50 m), Bistro Revelin (100 m), Dubrovnik Museums – Archaeological Museum (100 m), Lud Tower (100 m), Asimon Fortress (200 m), Ploče Gate (200 m), Church of the Annunciation, Dubrovnik (200 m)