BATTERY DOOR (VRATA OD PILA)
It is through this imposing medieval gate that the entrance to the old town of Dubrovnik is made. Welcome to Dubrovnik!
The Porte Pile, an imposing and superb gateway, is located to the west of the town. Accessible from a stone bridge between two Gothic arches, and surrounded by a park with numerous orange and lemon trees, it is dominated by a statue of the town's patron saint, St. Blaise (Sv. Vlaho), created in 1922 by Ivan Meštrović (the most famous Croatian sculptor!). The outer facade is Renaissance, dating from 1537, while the inner facade is Gothic (1460). Between the two gates, two commemorative plaques recall the damage sustained in 1991 and 1992 during the siege of Dubrovnik.
This gate recalls a time when the city was closed at night: the drawbridge was raised and the gates chained shut. Today, the gate is open 24 hours a day, but in summer, due to the massive influx of tourists, it is equipped with signs and cordons for pedestrian traffic. Once through the two gates, you'll arrive directly on the Stradun, the main street of the old town. This is the same gate through which Napoleon passed in 1806, when he decreed the end of the Republic of Ragusa.
Any visit to Dubrovnik begins here, and even Ragusans are accustomed to meeting at Pile. Most city buses stop here, and in winter a small Christmas market is held in the small square just before the tourist office. All in all, Pile is a must-see in Dubrovnik.
Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
Book the Best Activities with Get Your Guide
Members' reviews on BATTERY DOOR (VRATA OD PILA)
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Find unique holiday offers with our partners
Elle fait partie des remparts.