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  Dubrovnik #9  

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Uploaded: 01/19/07 10:55 AM GMT
Dubrovnik #9
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The most prominent point in the defence system toward the land is round tower Minčeta. The name derives from the name of the Menčetic' family, who owned the ground the tower was built upon. By its height and impressive volume the tower dominates the northwestern high part of the city and the walls. It was built in 1319, originally as a strong four-sided fort. It was build by a local builder Nićifor Ranjina. As the fall of Constantinople in 1453 was a clear sign to the cautious citizen of Dubrovnik quickly to take ample defensive measures, the first and one of the most important tasks was to strengthen this hey point. The fall of Bosnia, which followed soon in 1463, only hastened the works. The Republic invited a famous architect, Michelozzo di Bartolomeo of Florence. His work in Dubrovnik resulted in several buildings of highest importance for the defence of Dubrovnik. Among his principal activities around middle of the 15th century was the reconstruction of the tower Minčeta. Around the earlier quadrilateral fort Michelozzo built a new round tower adapted to the new technique of warfare and joined it to the new system of low scarp walls. The walls of the new tower were full 6 meters thick and had a series of protected gun ports. The famous architect and sculptor Juraj Dalmatinac, born in Zadar, continued the work on the Minčeta. He designed and built the high narrow round tower, while the battlements are a later addition. The tower was completed in 1464, and is the symbol of the unconquerable city of Dubrovnik. Since it is the highest point of the wall, it offers an unforgettable view on the city. In the period of unmistakable Turkish danger and the fall of Bosnia under Turkish rule, the fortress Revelin was built to the east of the city in 1462, a detached fortress providing additional protection to the land approach to the eastern Ploče Gate. The name derives from rivelino (ravelin), a term in military architecture, which refers, to work built opposite to the city gate in order to afford better protection from enemy attack.

t.b.c.

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