Fort Revelin

Revelin was built in a hurry. In 1538, with a Venetian invasion feared imminent, the Ragusan Senate paused all other public building and threw every mason at this one bastion east of Ploče Gate. What emerged eleven years later was an irregular trapezoidal fortress on its own outcrop, separated from the city walls by a moat, with walls thick enough to shrug off any bombardment the 16th century could throw at it. It never fired a shot in anger, but during the 1667 earthquake that levelled much of the city it stood firm - and became the temporary seat of the Ragusan government while the palace was rebuilt.

The interior is huge - a series of enormous vaulted halls that dwarf the visitor. The upper terrace hosts open-air moreška sword-dance performances during the Summer Festival and offers a fine terrace view of the old harbour. Below, one of the great stone chambers has been turned into Culture Club Revelin, one of the biggest nightclubs on the Adriatic; on summer weekends it runs until dawn. During the day there is a small archaeological museum with medieval stone carvings and finds from the site.

Give it an hour by day. The museum is quick, the terrace is the highlight. If you are here in the Summer Festival (10 July - 25 August) check the schedule for the moreška or a jazz night on the terrace. And yes, you can absolutely do the fort by day and the club by night - the contrast is one of the more Dubrovnik things you can do.

Hours & entry

Not free

Museum 9:00-15:00 Mon-Sat · Nightclub 23:00-6:00 Fri-Sat in summer · Closed for Christmas week

What to see

• Main vaulted hall — Ground-floor central chamber
• Terrace view over the old harbour — Upper platform, harbour-facing side
• Medieval stone carvings — Small archaeological display in the north wing

Tips from the ground

• The museum ticket is separate from the walls - only €10 - and rarely queues.
• Combine with a coffee at Nautika or a swim at Banje beach, both a minute away.
• The nightclub does not need advance tickets except on peak Saturdays in August.