Pile Gate, Dubrovnik (must see)

"Kill them, kill them all!" King Joffrey is under attack by an angry mob when he returns to Red Keep. Dramatic scene, plenty of shouting… except there's a thing or two missing. There's no King Joffrey here, and definitely no Red Keep. What you’re seeing is Pile Gate. Television magic simply turned this Croatian gateway into one of the most famous locations in “Game of Thrones,” particularly in Season 2, Episode 6, when Joffrey discovers that ruling a kingdom does not always guarantee popularity.

The name Pile comes from the Greek word pylaj, meaning “gate,” which is quite fitting for what has been Dubrovnik’s main doorway for centuries. Most visitors begin their walk through the Old City right here. The gate sits on the western side of the city walls and leads directly onto Stradun Street, Dubrovnik’s main promenade.

But Pile Gate is not just one gate—it is actually two. The inner gate was built in 1460, while the outer gate was added in 1537. Together, they formed part of a carefully designed defensive system. Protecting the approach was the cylindrical Fort Bokar, along with a deep moat that once surrounded the outer wall. Today, the moat is dry and has been transformed into a green strip of landscaped parkland between the walls.

To reach the gate, visitors cross a stone bridge with elegant Gothic arches. Designed in 1471, this bridge connected to a wooden drawbridge over the moat. Each night, the drawbridge was raised, sealing the entrance and keeping the city secure.

Above the gateway arch stands a statue of Saint Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik. He holds a small model of the city in his hand, as if quietly keeping watch over the place he protects.

Beyond the gate lies one of the most impressive defensive systems in Europe. Dubrovnik’s city walls stretch for nearly two kilometers and in some sections rise as high as 82 feet. The land-facing side is reinforced with ten circular bastions and a powerful fortress. The two main entrances to the city are Pile Gate in the west and Ploče Gate in the east.

So, as you walk through Pile Gate, remember: you’re not entering King’s Landing, but stepping into one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the world. And thankfully, today the only crowds waiting here are tourists—not angry mobs...