Fort Bokar, Dubrovnik

Just outside the Pile Gate stands Fort Bokar, a fortress that looks as though it grew straight out of the city walls. Also known as Zvjezdan, this fort was designed in the 15th century by the Italian architect Michelozzo di Bartolomeo. Construction began in 1461, and the structure was strengthened a little over a century later, in 1570. Together with the nearby Minčeta Tower, it guarded the vulnerable western land approach to the city, ensuring that anyone arriving from this direction would be watched very carefully.

Fort Bokar is a two-story casemate fort, built with thick stone walls designed to hold heavy artillery. Its round shape pushes outward from Dubrovnik’s medieval fortifications, almost like a stone bubble attached to the wall. Part of the fortress rests on arched supports above a rugged rock outcrop, while the Adriatic Sea rolls beneath it—exactly as it has done for more than five centuries. It’s the kind of structure that quietly reminds you just how serious Dubrovnik once was about defense.

These days, however, the fort has exchanged cannon smoke for stage lights. Every summer, it becomes one of the dramatic venues of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, held between July 10 and August 25. During this time, the historic city transforms into a giant open-air theater, hosting around seventy performances of classical music, opera, drama, and ballet.

Fort Bokar has also found a second career in the world of television. Fans of “Game of Thrones” may recognize these walls as part of King’s Landing. The fortress appears in several scenes along the city walls, including a memorable moment in Season 2 when Tyrion Lannister and Varys stand overlooking the sea while discussing the defense of the capital.

Today, Fort Bokar is an easy stop while exploring Dubrovnik’s western walls. Take a moment here, look out over the water, and picture the centuries of soldiers, sailors, actors, and camera crews who have all used this same dramatic stage above the Adriatic.