FISH MARKET TOWER

The Fish Market Tower was located on north eastern corner of the Great Arsenal and the Fish Market Square (Trg Ribarnice). It is assumed it was built in the second half of the 13th century, when, according to chroniclers, four towers were built in the harbour to defend it. It was first time mentioned under that name in preserved sources in 1439, in connection with repairs to the support at its base. It had the shape of a square tower covered with a pyramidal roof. On the ground floor there were doors leading to the main harbour dock- the Fish Market Dock (Muo Ribarnice), initially wooden, and from 1572, built in stone.

It was used for docking of fishing boats bringing their catches to a nearby fish market located on the square, which the tower and square were named after. In second half of the 15th century, the tower began to be used for the transit storage of grain, and later salt. In 1646, repairs were made to the roof, during which the governor of arms demanded that its defensive function be preserved. A granarium (granary) built in 1461 was also located nearby. It was used as a temporary storage for grain unloaded from the ships and was destroyed in the great earthquake in 1667.

The Fish Market Tower was demolished in 1853 during Austrian administration when the square and the Main dock (Veliki Muo) were reconstructed, and the dock was extended and widened. From the former tower, the wall on the northern side of today’s City café terrace has been preserved.

During archaeological excavations in 2003, the foundations of this solid tower were discovered, which played an important role as a part of the defence system that protected the harbour.