Lovrijenac: Visit Game Of Thrones Sites In Dubrovnik

“Game of Thrones,” fans likely already have Dubrovnik on their bucket lists as a holiday destination in Croatia as it is famously where much of the scenes set in some of the warmer climes of the show were filmed. Browse our vacation rentals in Dubrovnik now and you can get a taste of what it would be like to step into the fantastical world of the show! Once you're there, you can take various tours that have been set up by local tourism groups and companies and which bring you to all of the sites used in the filming of, “Game of Thrones,” but you can also just look them up and visit at your own pace and at your leisure. If you are going for the latter option, then you definitely need to pencil in a visit to Lovrijenac.

Lovrijenac, Fort Lovrijenac, or St Lawrence's Fortress is a fascinating old building that has had two main purposes throughout its existence: as a fortress and as a theatre. Often called Dubrovnik's Gibraltar, it is first recorded in a document discussing a vote for the Commander of the Fort by the local council in 1301. Chronologists, however, reckon that the construction of the fort actually dates to sometime between 1018 and 1038. Neighbouring Venetian forces were constantly trying to invade the city and a story from the 11th century states that they planned to claim the site on which the fort now stands and build a fortress that would help their attempts to conquer Dubrovnik. Instead, the city, upon hearing of this plan, quickly mobilised her citizens and built their own fortress instead before the Venetians could get to it. One can only imagine their surprise to encounter a building already on the site that they had hand-picked for themselves!

An imposing and impressive fortress, it is triangular in plan and was built to follow the curves of the cliffside, 37 metres above sea level, onto which it has been constructed. Over the years, it has been altered and added to and was a key defensive feature in ensuring the safety and freedom of the city of Dubrovnik for centuries. In more recent years, however, it has been repurposed and is now a tourist attraction and a setting for theatrical productions. Various works have been acted out within its walls but it is most spectacular and fitting as a setting for productions of Shakespeare's, “Hamlet”. The remarkable and striking building has also attracted the attention of Hollywood and is where many scenes from the TV series, “Knightfall”, an historical fiction drama about the Knights Templar, were filmed. Most famously, however, the Lovrijenac acted as the Red Keep in HBO's blockbuster fantasy show, “Game of Thrones.” Once you experience the majesty of the building for yourself, you will quickly see why it was chosen, with its 10 giant cannons, walls that are up to 10m thick, and the rather grand and famous inscription carved into the stone above the entrace that reads, “Non Bene Pro Toto Libertas Venditur Auro” (“Freedom cannot be sold for all the gold of the world”).

If you're a GOT fan or if you simply want to find a holiday rental in Dubrovnik and spend time in this spectacular city, a visit to this incredible architectural gem to experience its grandeur and history first hand, to take in the views over the sea and city from its terraces, and to watch the impressive waves battle against those imposing and impossibly thick walls is all quite the experience. It is a firm must-see for anyone spending time in this beautiful place!