Ponte Gate

The Ponte Gate is a stone archway embedded directly into the harbor-facing walls of Dubrovnik. It serves as the primary land entrance for travelers arriving by sea. In the sixteenth century, the authorities insisted on strict quarantine measures for all ships docking at the nearby Lazarettos. Sailors and merchants crossed this threshold only after passing rigorous health inspections. Today, the gate retains its austere, heavy masonry, marking the exact point where the maritime trade of the republic met the rigid laws of the city.