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.

TravelCurious Tip

Orlando is easy to miss in the hustle and bustle of Stradun – be sure to have a look!

At the eastern end of the magnificent Stradun, the main thoroughfare of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, stands a dramatic statue of a knight carved in deep relief from a solid stone block. Proudly poised on his pedestal, the fresh-faced Orlando holds a sword aloft in his right hand with a lowered shield in his left, and stares impassively towards the city’s belltower.


The Stone Saviour

According to legend, Orlando saved Dubrovnik in its hour of greatest need. After 15 months under siege by a Saracen army in the 9th century, the city was low on supplies and morale, and facing capture for the first time in its history. When all seemed lost, Orlando and his army suddenly arrived and were able to drive back the invaders, saving the city, after which the statue was erected in gratitude. The reality is rather less dramatic. Dubrovnik was part of the Hanseatic League, a confederation of trading city-states under the protection of the Hungarian-Croatian king. As a symbol of unity and a reminder of allegiance, the king erected a statue of Orlando, or Roland as he was more commonly known, in the city centre of every league member.


The Long Arm of the Law

After it was erected in 1418, the statue became a focal point in the Old Town. Public punishments were often held here, as were important announcements and declarations. Orlando’s forearm was even used as the official standard for the Ragusan cubit, the basic unit of measurement used in the city. The statue is still an important point of civic pride today, and Orlando forms the centrepiece of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival.


Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik City Walls
The imposing defensive walls of Dubrovnik are one of the city's most striking features and were crucial in protecting the city-state of Ragusa for centuries.
Rector's Palace
The Rector's Palace is a historic building in the Old Town of Dubrovnik that served as the seat of power and administration for the Republic of Ragusa.
The Synagogue and Jewish Museum
The world's oldest operating Sephardic Synagogue, with a museum telling the story of the Jews of Dubrovnik.
City Bell Tower
The City Bell Tower is an important landmark in Dubrovnik's Old Town with a quirky detail: the bell is rung by being struck by two statues of men with hammers.
Gundulic Square
Gundulic Square is a lively Old Town market in Dubrovnik, known for its poet statue, daily produce stalls, and charming noon pigeon-feeding tradition.
Sponza Palace
Sponza Palace is a 16th-century Renaissance gem in Dubrovnik that survived the 1667 quake and now houses the city’s historic archives and public events.

Related Tours

The Best of Dubrovnik: Private Walking Tour including City Walls

Dubrovnik is widely known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, and anyone who walks around its beautiful and historic Old Town will soon see why. Our 3-hour private walking tour is a great way to immerse yourself in the history and culture of this majestic city, and also gives you the chance to wander its world-famous walls. All the while, you’ll be accompanied by a local expert guide who can share intriguing anecdotes and point out the best spots to take in magnificent views of the shimmering sea and terracotta rooftops.

On your private tour, you will: 

  • Explore the charming Old Town of Dubrovnik, a beautiful coastal city situated on the Adriatic;
  • Enjoy the undivided attention of your passionate local guide;
  • Learn about Dubrovnik’s rich and varied history, from its centuries-long stint as the powerful city-state of Ragusa to the terrible siege of 1991 during the Yugoslavian Civil War;
  • Wander along its quaint cobbled streets, admiring the beautiful architecture of the Old Town’s most important buildings;
  • Make your way down Stradun, the stunning main street, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere;
  • Admire the Gothic and Renaissance Churches like St. Saviour Chuch, built in the 1520s after the city survived a major earthquake;
  • Pass by the tranquil Franciscan Monastery and hear about the 14th-century pharmacy that lies within and still operates today;
  • See the lovely Church of St Blaise and the ornate Jesuit Staircase made famous by Game of Thrones;
  • Walk around the City Walls (with tickets included) and take in stunning views of the Adriatic Sea and the city below.

Step into centuries of history on this captivating 3-hour private walking tour of Dubrovnik, designed to give you both a comprehensive city orientation and the unforgettable experience of walking its iconic medieval walls. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, this journey offers a perfect mix of storytelling, architecture, and awe-inspiring views, with a flexible ending tailored to your interests. Your tour begins in the heart of the Old Town at a majestic fountain designed by a famous Italian architect. After getting acquainted with your guide, you will meander through the historic Pile area while hearing stories of how the city first took shape. You will pass the Church of St. Saviour, built in gratitude after an earthquake failed to destroy the city, and pause by the Franciscan Monastery, home to one of Europe’s oldest working pharmacies founded over 700 years ago.

As you stroll down Stradun, Dubrovnik’s dazzling main street, your guide will bring the city's layers of history to life, from its golden era as the Republic of Ragusa to its defiance during the 1991 siege. You'll slip into Prijeko Street, a quieter, charming lane lined with stone façades and family-run businesses, before arriving at Luza Square, the city’s historic heart. Here, you’ll find a cluster of architectural gems: the elegant Sponza Palace, the symbolic Orlando’s Column, the Church of St. Blaise with its lavish baroque façade, and the stately Rector’s Palace, once the seat of power for the Republic. You'll also take in the Jesuit Staircase, Dubrovnik’s mini Spanish Steps, and the neighbouring Cathedral of the Assumption, a striking Baroque structure said to have been commissioned by Richard the Lionheart himself after being shipwrecked near Dubrovnik on the way home from the Third Crusade.

With the city’s most important landmarks now under your belt, your guide will lead you to St. John’s Fort, where you’ll begin your walk along the city walls, one of the best-preserved medieval fortification systems in the world. Tickets are included, and the views are nothing short of spectacular: you’ll admire red-roofed buildings tumbling down toward the sparkling Adriatic, the curve of the Old Port below, and the rugged cliffs of Lokrum Island just offshore. During your journey, you’ll pass Saint Barbara Tower, Fort Bokar, and climb to the mighty Minčeta Tower, the highest point on the walls and a symbol of Dubrovnik’s impenetrability. Along the way, your guide will share the dramatic stories of battles, diplomacy, and the resilience that helped the city survive for centuries.

The tour ends on your terms. You have the option to complete the full circuit of the walls at your own pace or to exit halfway at Pile Gate and unwind nearby or continue exploring the Old Town at your leisure. Your guide will be happy to adapt the experience to your preferences and provide plenty of insider recommendations. As a bonus, your tickets to access the city walls are also valid for entering Fort Lovrijenac (St. Lawrence Fortress), which you are free to explore on your own. This impressive fortress just outside the city walls is known as Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar and is well worth a visit to see more of Dubrovnik’s well-preserved military architecture and stunning landscapes.

Whether it’s your first time in Dubrovnik or you’re returning to the city, this private tour offers the perfect balance of history, beauty, and flexibility, helping you capture the essence of the Pearl of the Adriatic.

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