Tvrđava Svetog Ivana

"Sveti Ivan Fortress, located on the southern side of Dubrovnik's famous city walls, was a crucial part of the city’s defense system, particularly in protecting the port. Built in 1346 and originally named the "of Mule" Fortress, its primary role was to safeguard the entrance to the city harbor. In its early days, the fortress was part of a broader defensive structure that included smaller fortifications nearby, such as Gundulić’s Fortress, designed by the renowned Dubrovnik engineer Paskoj Miličević. These two fortresses were connected by towers in 1522, and by 1557, they formed a unified structure, creating the imposing semicircular fortress we see today. In its early days, the fortress also served as a large gunpowder storehouse. Together with the Minčeta Fortress to the north and the Bokar and Lovrijenac Fortresses to the west, Sveti Ivan was one of the three key fortifications of Dubrovnik’s walls. The city’s port was further protected by the smaller St. Luke Fortress on the north side and by Sveti Ivan on the south. A powerful chain once stretched between these two fortresses to block unwanted ships from entering the harbor. This chain was so robust that it could break the keels of ships, providing a formidable defense against invaders. In 1484, the chain was replaced by the Kaše breakwater, an artificial islet designed by Paskoj Miličević, which still stands as a testament to the city’s advanced engineering of the time. Today, Sveti Ivan Fortress has transitioned from a military stronghold into a cultural and educational hub. Its interior now houses significant collections from the era of the Dubrovnik Republic, preserving the city’s maritime heritage. The fortress is home to the Maritime Museum, which showcases Dubrovnik’s rich naval history, and the Aquarium, which features local marine life. The fortress also hosts the Institute for the Sea and the Coast, contributing to scientific research in the region. On the terrace of Sveti Ivan, a cannon from the sailing ship *Triton* stands as a reminder of the fortress' defensive past, while the space now serves as a summer stage for the Dubrovnik Summer Games, blending history with contemporary culture."