Page 50 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2019 PORTUGAL

offering amazing views of the city, the blue
Adriatic Sea, and nearby islands. We also
visited Minceta Tower, the highest point,
with dramatic views of the Old Town. Other
stopping points included Lovrijenac Fort,
known as the "Gibraltar of Dubrovnik," and
Fort Revelin, situated above the city's main
entrance.
As Dubrovnik expanded and prospered,
the walls underwent several transforma‐
tions. They were initially constructed to en‐
circle the city in the 13th century. In the 14th
century, they were fortified with 15 square
forts. The threat of Turkish invasions in the
15th century prompted the city to further
reinforce the existing forts and add new
ones. The walls we see today emerged dur‐
ing the golden age of the city between the
fall of Constantinople in 1453 and an earth‐
quake in 1667. The walls are approximately
six feet thick on the seaward side, more
than twice that width on the inland side, and
reach a maximum height of about 82 feet.
Construction and maintenance of these
walls was the collective effort of
Dubrovnik's citizens. Every resident, regard‐

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