Lovrjenac Fortress – an Impressive and Unique Setting for Exclusive Events
Imagine a grand gala dinner, a luxurious business banquet, or a boutique conference in a centuries-old fortress, perched on a steep and rocky cliff, overlooking the Old City of Dubrovnik... An indescribable experience! This is precisely what Lovrjenac Fortress offers event organizers – one of the main gems of Dubrovnik's event offerings, also known as one of the most beautiful stages for performances of Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Fort Lovrjenac is a part of the globally renowned Dubrovnik City Walls but stands as a formidable standalone fortress in the western suburbs of Pile. It's no wonder it's also referred to as the "Gibraltar of Dubrovnik." Built on a 37-metre-high cliff, triangular in shape with three levels, its purpose was to protect Dubrovnik from the sea on the western side. The fortress walls facing the sea are between 4 and up to 12 metres thick, while on the side facing the city, they are as thin as 60 centimetres. It was named after St. Lawrence, the patron saint whose church once stood within the fortress, and today, a chapel named after him resides within its structure.
A Turbulent History Woven into Centuries-Old Stone Walls
According to legend, the people of Dubrovnik constructed the fortress in just three months, outpacing the Venetians who had plans to build their tower on the same cliff to oversee Dubrovnik. At the entrance to the fortress, an inscription reads "Non bene pro toto libertas venditur auro," which translates to "Freedom is not to be sold for all the gold in the world." Consequently, Lovrjenac became a symbol of resistance against Venice. Historical records indicate that the construction of the fortress began in the early 11th century, with the earliest preserved mention in archival records dating back to 1301 when one of its many castellans was named.
After the fall of the Republic of Dubrovnik in the 19th century, Austria converted this fortress into a barracks in 1886 with extensions and modifications. In 1907, it was leased to a hotel company with plans to convert it into a hotel. This decision sparked significant protests from the people of Dubrovnik, leading to the fortress being entrusted to the Society for the Advancement of Dubrovnik's Interests in 1908. In preparation for the PEN International Congress in 1933, which held some of its events within the Lovrjenac premises, the fortress was repaired and partially cleaned of additions. During World War II, it was turned into a prison, but after the war and in 1950, the modifications were removed, and restoration took place.
The fortress's layout is designed around a central courtyard on the ground floor, with spaces originally intended for the garrison and castellans' living quarters, storage for cannons and other weaponry, and communication with other levels. There is also the Chapel of St. Lawrence, and on the eastern mezzanine above the ground floor is the kitchen. Above the ground floor, there are three more levels, mostly consisting of open terraces and defensive platforms with parapets. In the north-western corner, on the second floor, there is a niche with a statue of St. Blaise, sculpted by French artist Jacob de Spinis from Orleans and Korčula native Vicko Lujov in 1559.
A World-Famous Scenic and Event Space
Today, Lovrjenac, or rather its open terraces, serve as a stage for numerous dramatic performances during the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. It gained worldwide recognition as the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet, where it transforms into the Danish castle Elsinore. The fact that Lovrjenac is a perfect stage for dramatic performances is further evidenced by its role as the host of the Midsummer Scene Festival. It was also a significant filming location for the globally popular Game of Thrones series produced by HBO.
In addition to dramatic performances, when it can accommodate up to 500 seated guests, the spaces of Lovrjenac are used for organizing various special events such as weddings, cocktail parties, and formal dinners, mostly during the summer months. For such events, the fortress can accommodate up to 200 people, depending on how many levels of the fortress are utilized.
Event organizers can rent the space, and they are free to manage all aspects of setup, catering services, lighting, music, flowers, and more, with mandatory compliance with the City of Dubrovnik's Municipal Regulations.