This list of castles in Croatia includes castles, remains (ruins) of castles and other fortifications like fortresses which used to be a castles at some point in history. A castle (from Latincastellum) is a type of fortified structure built in Europe (thus also in Croatia) and the Middle East during the Middle Ages. In its simplest terms, the definition of a castle accepted amongst academics is "a private fortified residence".[1]
Construction and development of manors and castles on the territory of Croatia can be followed with certainty in the last two millennium – from Roman villa rusticas and palaces (like Diocletian's Palace), to medieval castles (burgs), Renaissance villas-summer houses in Dubrovnik and Dalmatia, to Baroque and historicist manors of Northern Croatia, and town villas and palaces in most bigger Croatian towns. The biggest fortress in Croatia is located in Knin.
This baroque castle dating from 18th century was renovated during the 1930s in the classic manner and because of that, it has become one of the most representative castles in Croatia.
First mentioned in the 13th century during the reign of the Croato-Hungarian king Béla IV; in the late 17th century, king Maksimilijan sold it for 20 000 forint to baron Gašpar I Drašković.
During the period of the early Croatian state it was an occasional residence of national rulers (Trpimir, Muncimir, Svetoslav, Držislav, Zvonimir and Petar).
Built on southern hillside of mountain Medvednica as a defense from Tatars, who had pillaged Zagreb in 1242. Severely damaged by earthquake in 1590 and described as a ruin by the late 17th century. Renovated in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.[6]
Built in the Ivanšćica mountain as a defense from Mongols, property of Cseszneky, Herkffy and Patachich families, described as a ruin by the late 17th century. Hungarian name: Milen vára.
This castle once belonged to the famous Croatian family Frankopan, but after the death of its owner, Fran Krsto Frankopan, it was robbed by Austrian general Herbstein. He later sold it to the knights of the catholic Order of Malta who kept it under their rule until 1746. After them, the owners of the castle became the Croatian noble family Patačić and the members of this family lived in the castle until the beginning of 20th century. During the World War II, Novigrad na Dobri was seriously damaged but the enchanting beauty of its ruins still gives proof of its rich history.
Medieval Okić Fortress is rare example of preserved Romanesque architecture in continental Croatia. The town was ruled by the counts Okićki, Babonići, Bevenudi, Frankopani, Matijaš Korvin, Ivan Horvat and finally the Erdödy family, in whose time, as early as 1616, the Okić fortress became abandoned and ruined.[7]
The oldest part of the castle, Zrinski Palace, was built by Nikola Šubić Zrinski ten years before his death at the Battle of Szigetvár. His son Juraj IV Zrinski built the entry tower in 1599. The castle was renewed and repaired by count Theodor Batthyani (died 1813).[8]
Built by the Hrvatinić family, the fortress was captured by the Turks in 1523. The Turks held the fortress for two centuries, until they were expelled by the Venetians.[3]
Perched on top of a hill, at an altitude of 334m (1,096ft), the castle had many owners, among them Ratkaj family and Oton Iveković, a Croatian painter. Today it houses several art and antique collections.[9][11]
Castle (palace) with the park in Severin na Kupi was the estate of an aristocrat family Frankopan. The castle was first mentioned in 1558. It is one store building with square ground plan and internal yard and halls with arcades, and outside corner cylindrical towers. There is the part around the castle with a chapel St. Florian. Today's Baroque palace is result of ample reconstruction made in 1803 by owner of that time Count John Oršia.
Zadar, historically known as Zara, is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia. It is situated on the Adriatic Sea, at the northwestern part of Ravni Kotari region. Zadar serves as the seat of Zadar County and of the wider northern Dalmatian region. The city proper covers 25 km2 (9.7 sq mi) with a population of 75,082 in 2011, making it the second-largest city of the region of Dalmatia and the fifth-largest city in the country.
Ston is a settlement and a municipality in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County of Croatia, located at the south of isthmus of the Pelješac peninsula.
Tourism in Croatia is a major industry of country's economy, accounting for almost 20% of Croatia's gross domestic product (GDP) as of 2021.
Hvar is a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea, located off the Dalmatian coast, lying between the islands of Brač, Vis and Korčula. Approximately 68 kilometres (42.25 mi) long, with a high east–west ridge of Mesozoic limestone and dolomite, the island of Hvar is unusual in the area for having a large fertile coastal plain, and fresh water springs. Its hillsides are covered in pine forests, with vineyards, olive groves, fruit orchards and lavender fields in the agricultural areas. The climate is characterized by mild winters, and warm summers with many hours of sunshine. The island has 10,678 residents according to the 2021 census, making it the 4th most populated of the Croatian islands.
Stari Grad is a town on the northern side of the island of Hvar in Dalmatia, Croatia. One of the oldest towns in Europe, its position at the end of a long, protected bay and next to prime agricultural land has long made it attractive for human settlement. Stari Grad is also a municipality within the Split-Dalmatia County.
Hvar is a town and port on the island of Hvar, part of Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia. The municipality has a population of 4,251 (2011) while the town itself is inhabited by 3,771 people, making it the largest settlement on the island of Hvar. It is situated on a bay in the south coast of the island, opposite from the other nearby towns of Stari Grad and Jelsa.
Orebić is a port town and municipality in the Dubrovnik-Neretva county in Croatia. It is located on the Pelješac peninsula on the Dalmatian coast. Orebić is directly across a strait from the town of Korčula, located on the island of the same name. Ferries service the two towns frequently. Orebić is 112 km (70 mi) from Dubrovnik.
Medvedgrad is a medieval fortified town located on the south slopes of Medvednica mountain, approximately halfway from the Croatian capital Zagreb to the mountain top Sljeme. For defensive purposes it was built on a hill, Mali Plazur, that is a spur of the main ridge of the mountain that overlooks the city. On a clear day the castle can be seen from far away, especially the high main tower. Below the main tower of the castle is Oltar Domovine which is dedicated to Croatian soldiers killed in the Croatian War of Independence.
Vrboska is a settlement on the north coast of the island of Hvar in Dalmatia, Croatia, in the Municipality of Jelsa. Founded in the 15th century as a fishing harbour, the town's fortress Church of Sv. Marija was built as a refuge for its inhabitants during the 16th century. Vrboska has a population of 548 at the 2011 census.
The Croatian Dominican Province of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a province of the Dominican Order, established in 1962 with a merger of Dalmatian Province, consisting of convents along Dalmatian coast and islands, and Congregation of Dubrovnik and convents in Gruž, with a house established in Zagreb in 1927. Today province consist of 13 convents and houses located in Croatia ten convents and houses, Slovenia two houses, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina one house.
Samobor Castle is a ruined castle atop of Tepec hill in Samobor, Croatia. It lies only a 10-minute walk away from the city centre. Remains of the old castle moat are still visible, as well as the massive entrance and most of the walls.
The architecture of Croatia has roots in a long history: the Croats have inhabited the area for fourteen centuries, but there are important remnants of earlier periods still preserved in the country.
Croatian art describes the visual arts in Croatia, and art by Croatian artists from prehistoric times to the present. In Early Middle Ages, Croatia was an important centre for art and architecture in south eastern Europe. There were many Croatian artists during the Medieval period, and the arts flourished during the Renaissance. Later styles in Croatia included Baroque and Rococo.
Tvrdalj Castle is a castle in Stari Grad, on the island of Hvar, Croatia.
The Walls of Dubrovnik are a series of defensive stone walls surrounding the city of Dubrovnik in southern Croatia. Ramparts were built in the outlying areas of the city, including the mountain slopes as part of a set of statues from 1272. The existing city walls were constructed mainly during the 13th–17th centuries. The walls run an uninterrupted course of approximately 1,940 metres (6,360 ft) in length, encircling most of the old city, and reach a maximum height of about 25 metres (82 ft).
The Walls of Ston are a series of defensive stone walls, originally more than 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) long, that surrounded and protected the city of Ston, in Dalmatia, part of the Republic of Ragusa, in what is now southern Croatia. Their construction was begun in 1358. On the Field Gate of the Walls there is a Latin inscription which dates from 1506. Today, it is one of the longest preserved fortification systems in the world.
The Renaissance in Croatia is a period of cultural enrichment in Croatia that began at the middle of the 15th century and lasted until the end of the 16th century.
The Register of Cultural Goods of the Republic of Croatia has been established in 1999. The Croatian Ministry of Culture is responsible for the administration of this public register, which has been created according to the Act on the protection and preservation of cultural goods of 1999. The register is a comprehensive list of all cultural monuments under national protection.
↑ Slobodan Prosperov Novak (2006), Hvar: Mjesta, Ljudi, Sudbine[Hvar: Places, People, Destiny] (in Croatian), Zagreb: Matica Hrvatska, ISBN953-150-752-X
↑ "Veliki Tabor". veliki-tabor.hr (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 2010-06-07. Retrieved 2010-05-23.
Bibliography
Coulson, Charles (2003), Castles in Medieval Society: Fortresses in England, France, and Ireland in the Central Middle Ages, Oxford: Oxford University Press, ISBN0-19-927363-4
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