According to local legend, in the distant 11th century, Croatia’s powerful neighbor, the Republic of Venice, set out to conquer the impregnable city of Dubrovnik. To achieve this, it was decided to erect a fortress on top of a cliff, which rose almost 40 meters above the Adriatic waters caressing sharp stones. However, this time the citizens of Dubrovnik were smarter and faster. They were the first to build a citadel on this strategically significant cliff. And so began the history of the famous Fort Lovrijenac or St. Lawrence Fortress.

The historians claim that the construction of the formidable fort started at the beginning of the 11th century, although it is first mentioned in ancient written sources from the beginning of the 14th century. It is known that the proud citizens of Dubrovnik managed to build an impregnable stone citadel in just three months. Perfectly preserved to this day, it is one of the main attractions of the modern city.

It was once home to 25 fearless soldiers who, under the command of a brave officer, defended the beautiful city from enemy attacks from both land and sea. Its walls housed ten huge cannons, including the legendary Gušter, which fired several cannonballs in a row even at that time. Cast in the middle of the 16th century by the brilliant cannon master Ivan Rabljanin, it went underwater as a result of the fortifications disarmament by the Austrians in the 19th century. So this unique cannon still lies at the bottom of the sea.

Today, the ancient fortress is a triangular structure with strong stone walls up to 12 meters thick and spacious open terraces, which offer a fabulous view of the endless sea and the picturesque coast. The entrance to the inner territory is still decorated with the inscription “Non bene pro toto libertas venditur auro”. Translated from Latin, it means “Freedom cannot be bought even for all the gold in the world”.