Minčeta Tower

Dubrovnik, Croatia

The Minčeta Tower was built by a local builder named Nicifor Ranjina and Italian engineers sent by Pope Pius II in 1463, at the height of the Turkish threat. Originally as a strong four-sided fort, it is the most prominent point in the defensive system towards the land. The tower's name derives from the name of the Menčetić family, who owned the ground upon which the tower was built. By its height and impressive volume, the tower dominates the northwestern high part of the city and its walls.

In the middle of the 15th century, around the earlier quadrilateral fort, Michelozzo built a new round tower using new warfare technique and joined it to the new system of low scarp walls. The full six-meter thick walls of the new tower had a series of protected gun ports. The architect and sculptor Giorgio da Sebenico of Zadar continued the work on the Minčeta tower. He designed and built the high narrow round tower while the battlements are a later addition. The tower was completed in 1464 and became the symbol of the unconquerable city of Dubrovnik.

After a long excavation, a 16th-century cannon foundry was discovered under Minčeta Tower. It is now a museum. Since Minčeta Tower is the highest point of the wall, it is considered to offer a seemingly 'unforgettable' view on the city.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 1463
Category: Castles and fortifications in Croatia

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Xbox User (10 months ago)
Amazing! This structure and its town must have been even more amazing in its time. Still beautiful but bastardized by branded logo shops and gimmicks.
Piper Martz (11 months ago)
Lovely viewpoint but VERY crowded and busy. Staircase is quite narrow so the wait to get up is very long. The viewpoint is really nice but honestly you could skip this and get other outstanding views by walking the rest of the wall.
Monika Karlińska (12 months ago)
Great place in Dubrownik, old city, city wall - you can enjoy all day. Entrance for city wall costs 35 euros.
Matej (2 years ago)
Just spectacular! The best view of Dubrovnik can be seen from this tower. It's also the highest point of Dubrovnik city walls. It's a bit challenging to climb the stairs but once on the top you forget about it. Be careful not to fall.
Latha verghis (2 years ago)
It’s a must visit place .. the climb is a little tough but worth every bit of the effort put. If you are visiting during September and October it could be a wee bit hot and sultry so please carry water and sun protection. The tickets are a little too expensive for this though.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.