.boremachine

gallery

In his hand he holds a scale model of Dubrovnik where the fortifications of the port can be seen clearly. The present appearance of the fortress dates from the 16th century and is mainly the work of the local builder Paskoje Miličevic', whose reconstruction plans contributed considerably to the present look of the fortification of the old port. The side toward the sea is round and lower part of the wall is inclined, while the part facing the port has flat vertical walls. This large building, which had many gun ports for its primary function, is a cultural monument today. It houses the Maritime Museum, containing objects, paintings and documents relating to a most important activity in the history of the city. The ground floor houses the famous Aquarium. The monumental space of the fortress creates a special mood for visitors who can view specimens of Adriatic fauna in 27 basins of various sizes. The tower Bokar (Zvjezdan) is among the most beautiful instances of harmonious and functional fortification architecture. The previously mentioned Michelozzo of the Florence built it while the city walls were reconstructed (from 1461 to 1463). This tower was conceived as the key point in the defence of the Pile Gate, the western fortified entrance of the city. Together with Minčeta this tower is the second key point in the defence of the western land approach to the city. It was built as a two-story casemate fortress, standing in front of the medieval wall face protruding into space almost with its whole cylindrical volume.

t.b.c.