It has been more than thirty years, yet the memories remain vivid. Many are aware of the immense challenges Croatia faced to achieve its independence. The Homeland War, which lasted from 1991 to 1995, saw a significant portion of Croatian territory occupied by the Yugoslav army and Serbian paramilitary rebels.
When conflicts unfold far away, we often see them on the news or read about them, but we rarely imagine them reaching our own doorstep. This was the initial sentiment among the people of Dubrovnik. Unfortunately, the war did indeed reach them.
Who bombed Dubrovnik in 1991? The Yugoslav army began its siege of Dubrovnik on October 1, 1991. The situation escalated, and by November, mortars were falling on the historic red roofs of the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
For young children, merely four or five years old at the time, the experience felt like an adventure. Their mothers would take them to shelters within the formidable Revelin Fort or Minčeta Tower. The thick walls provided a sense of security, fostering a remarkable spirit of unity among the people. Friends, neighbors, and even strangers extended help to one another during those perilous times. Women and children were eventually evacuated north, away from the fighting.
On the morning of December 6, 1991, the Yugoslav army launched a full-scale assault on Dubrovnik, employing heavy artillery, airstrikes, and naval support. On that devastating day, over 60% of the buildings in the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, suffered severe damage. Monuments, palaces, and churches were engulfed in flames.
The following morning, December 7, 1991, people emerged from their shelters to witness the sheer devastation. Tears flowed freely.
Why was Dubrovnik bombed in 1991? The attack on Dubrovnik was a deliberate act of aggression against a civilian target, a demilitarized zone protected by UNESCO. The reasons behind such an act remained unclear, leaving behind only shock and disbelief.
Twenty-five years later, the Old Town has been meticulously rebuilt, its former glory fully restored. The painstaking process took a long time, but the message is undeniable: no matter the hardship inflicted, Dubrovnik will rise again, strong and beautiful. The wounds have healed, and there is a fervent hope that such events will never befall this historic city again.
If you're interested to hear more about this complicated topic, we discuss it on our City Walls Tour in more details. We also take our guests to Minčeta tower, the bomb shelter site in 1991, where you can actually see the tunnels where people were hiding during the Yugoslav army attacks. Join our Minčeta Tower Secret Tunnels Tour for exclusive access and first-hand accounts!