City Bell Tower

A beautiful landmark of the Old Town, with a bell struck by two bronze men.

TravelCurious Tip

Don’t miss the Orlando Column, located just beneath the tower in Luza Square, which has an intriguing story of its own.

Standing 31 metres tall above Luza Square, the city bell tower is one of the most important landmarks on Dubrovnik’s famous Stradun thoroughfare. Its gleaming white stone and neat, precise design fit perfectly with the prevailing architectural style of the Old Town, and it effortlessly commands the attention of all visitors to Stradun’s eastern end.


The Little Green Men

The tower was designed and built by master architects Grubačević, Utišenović and Radončić in 1444. Provided with ample funds to work with by the authorities of the rich city-state, the architects included an unusual feature in the design. Instead of the traditional clapper hanging inside the bell, two wooden statues of men bearing hammers were made and placed on either side of the bell. At the appointed time, every hour and half-hour, the men would strike the bell with their hammers and allow the peal to ring out across the city. The years took their toll on the original two, and a pair of more permanent bronze replacements were fashioned and named “Maro” and “Baro”. Over time they became green with the tinge of corrosion, and have been nicknamed the “zelenci”, or “green men”, ever since.


The Leaning Tower of Luza

After the large earthquake of 1667, which destroyed most of the city, the tower began to lean noticeably. However, it was not until more than 250 years later that it was deemed structurally unsound, and in 1929 much of the tower was taken down and replaced to exactly the same specifications.


Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik Cathedral
This Baroque Roman Catholic cathedral was rebuilt after the 1667 earthquake on a site of worship that dates back to the 7th century.
Walls of Dubrovnik
The imposing defensive walls of Dubrovnik guarded the freedom of a sophisticated republic for five centuries.
Rector's Palace
This secular palace is a harmonious combination of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture.
Dubrovnik Cruise Port
A port renowned for its fascinating history, crystal clear water and astounding superyachts.
The Synagogue and Jewish Museum
The world's oldest operating Sephardic Synagogue, with a museum telling the story of the Jews of Dubrovnik.
Orlando Column
A 600-year-old column carved in honour of the legendary knight Orlando, who saved Dubrovnik from a siege by Arab pirates in the 8th century.

Related Tours

The Cultural Highlights of Dubrovnik
  • Your tour begins at Stradun, Dubrovnik's famous city square, hosting many rustic old buildings, including the Rector’s Palace - a 14th century Baroque masterpiece, serving not only as a residence but also as an armoury, powder magazine, watch house, and prison. 
  • Have the pleasure of visiting Onofrio's Fountain, where you will be able to admire the magnificent Sponza Palace.
  • You will move on to visit the stunning Old Synagogue of Dubrovnik, the oldest in the city, and astonishingly the second oldest in the world.
  • Enjoy a visit to the Jewish Museum, where you will learn more about the Jewish community and their contribution to the history and culture of the great city of Dubrovnik. 
  • You will then proceed on to the Baroque Cathedral of the Assumption, rebuilt in the 18th century following an earthquake, and now a popular venue for weddings and celebrations. 
  • See the stunning Cathedral of the Assumption, Dubrovnik Cathedral and the Church of St. Blaise. Here you will learn all about the fascinating legend of Richard the Lionheart who returning from the Crusades in 1192, was shipwrecked in a storm, and cast aground on Lokrum Island in front of Dubrovnik. 
  • You will also pay a visit to the Franciscan Monastery and Old Pharmacy- the third oldest in the world. After which you will proceed to traverse the beautiful City Walls, a 2 km stone wall that has protected the city for centuries. During your walk along the city walls you will be able to take in the panoramic views of the city below. 

Stradun is the main street in Dubrovnik Old Town. Stradun stretches the distance of Pile Gate to the Old Town’s port. The street has been completely pedestrianised for almost 50 years and acts as main local promenade, featuring a number of restaurants, cafes and shops. 

Onofrio's Fountain circulates through a huge central dome and 16 water taps that surround it. It was completed in 1438 and withstood some damage after an earthquake but was never been repaired! Spend some time sitting at the foot of the fountain planning the rest of your day or enjoying a light bite to eat. 

The Baroque Cathedral of the Assumption was largely destroyed in 1667 due to an earthquake strike. The senate of Dubrovnik at the time pledged for it to be remodelled, whereby multiple architects eventually made it happen;  Francesco Cortese, Paolo Andreotti of Genoa, Pier Antonio Bazzi of Genoa, and friar Tommaso Napoli of Palerm. The Cathedral was then completed over the next three decades. Unfortunately, further damage has been made over the years, but it has all been repaired. 

Perfect for those wanting a great Dubrovnik selfie!
The Best of Dubrovnik Live Virtual Tour
Dubrovnik, also known as "The Pearl of the Adriatic", is a perfectly preserved medieval city with huge sturdy stone walls built between the 11th and 17th centuries for protection and that back in those years, it used to rival Venice as a trading port.

On this live virtual tour, you will take a stroll down the quaint narrow streets of Dubrovnik’s picturesque Old Town through its impressive surroundings while hearing its tales and history that only a local professional tour guide can tell.

You will see: 
  • Pile Bay
  • Pile Gate, the grand entrance to Dubrovnik's old town, complete with drawbridge and Renaissance arch.
  • Onofrio’s Fountain, built as a part of the water supply system in the 15th century that was once a vital water source for the town's people.
  • The Franciscan church, the third oldest public pharmacy in Europe from the 13th century
  • St. Blaise’s church, Dubrovnik's saint patron, and hear his story about him and traditional procession held on his feast day
  • Orlando’s column, a 600-year-old column carved in honour of the legendary knight Orlando, who saved Dubrovnik from a siege by Arab pirates in the 8th century
  • Sponza palace - state mint and customs house in middle ages
  • City Belltower, a beautiful landmark of the Old Town with a bell struck by two bronze men
  • Revelin fortress, created to give additional security to the Eastern city gate
  • Old Quarantine founded as the first quarantine in Europe in the 14th century
  • Fortress of St. John
  • Cathedral of Our Lady that counted with a Lionheart’s donation for the construction of this 12th-century cathedral
  • Rector’s palace, a harmonious combination of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture.

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