List of castles in Croatia

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 Latin castellum) 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.

Castle Location Type Constructed Notes Image
Adamovich-Cseh Castle Erdut, Osijek-Baranja County Manor
Badnjevice Castle
Bajnski Dvori Castle Gornje Ladanje, Varaždin County Manor 17th century Founded by the members of Both of Bayna, a noble family of Hungarian ancestry. Enlarged and renewed in the 19th century in the spirit of historicism.
Banfi Manor Štrigova, Međimurje County Manor 1373 Founded by the members of Bánffy, a noble family of Hungarian ancestry. Renewed recently .
Batthyány Castle Ludbreg, Varaždin County 1320
Belaj Cerovlje, Istria County 14th–17th centuries Well preserved and renovated
Bežanec Castle 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.
Bilje Castle
Bribir Castle Bribir, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Castle
Brigido Castle Lupoglav, Istria County Castle
Blagaj
Brod Fortress Slavonski Brod, Brod-Posavina County
45°9′23″N 18°0′24″E / 45.15639°N 18.00667°E / 45.15639; 18.00667 (Brod Fortress)
1715–1780
Bubnjarci Manor Bubnjarci, Ozalj County Manor 15th century Founded unknown, but later a noble family of Croatian ancestry.
Califfi Castle Gornje Selo, Zadar County
Cambi Castle Kaštel Kambelovac, Split-Dalmatia County
Cetin Castle Podcetin, Karlovac County
45°08′18″N 15°43′54″E / 45.13833°N 15.73167°E / 45.13833; 15.73167 (Cetin Castle)
Castle 14th century
Cippico Castle Kaštel Novi, Split-Dalmatia County 1512[2] Built as a fortified summer residence by Pavao Antun Cippico, a nobleman from Trogir.[2]
Čačvina Castle Čačvina, Split-Dalmatia County 1371[3]
Čakovec Castle Čakovec, Međimurje County
46°23′20″N 16°25′55″E / 46.38889°N 16.43194°E / 46.38889; 16.43194 (Čakovec Castle)
Castle 13th century Built by Count Dimitrius Csáky, after whom the city of Čakovec is named. Later owned by many other noble families, including Lacković, the Counts of Celje, Ernušt, Zrinski, Althan and Feštetić. Outside the biggest fortification in Međimurje County, inside the main palace.
Daruvar Castle Daruvar, Bjelovar-Bilogora County
45°59′28″N 17°22′36″E / 45.99111°N 17.37667°E / 45.99111; 17.37667 (Daruvar Castle)
Drivenik Castle Novi Vinodolski, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County
45°14′17″N 14°38′48″E / 45.23806°N 14.64667°E / 45.23806; 14.64667 (Drivenik Castle)
Dubovac Castle Karlovac, Karlovac County
Dvigrad Draga near Pazin, Istria County
Đurđevac Castle Đurđevac, Koprivnica-Križevci County
46°02′43″N 17°04′07″E / 46.04528°N 17.06861°E / 46.04528; 17.06861 (Đurđevac Castle)
Falcon Fortress
Eltz Manor Vukovar, Vukovar-Syrmia County
45°21′27″N 18°59′42″E / 45.3575358481°N 18.9949858189°E / 45.3575358481; 18.9949858189 (Eltz Manor)
Manor 1749–1751
Erdödy Castle, Jastrebarsko Jastrebarsko
Erdödy castle, Kerestinec Kerestinec
Erdut Castle Erdut, Osijek-Baranja County
45°31′36″N 19°03′51″E / 45.526703°N 19.064180°E / 45.526703; 19.064180 (Erdut Castle)
Castle 14th century
Feštetić Castle Pribislavec near Čakovec, Međimurje County 1870[4] Built by count Juraj Feštetić in neo-gothic style. Today houses the Pribislavec elementary school.[4]
Fortica Fortress Otočac, Lika-Senj County 1619-~1630
Fortress Kastel Hrvatska Kostajnica, Sisak-Moslavina County
Fortress Nehaj Senj, Lika-Senj County Fortress 1558
Frankopan Castle Krk, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Castle
Glavaš - Dinarić Fortress Vrlika, Split-Dalmatia County Fortress 15th century
Gornja Rijeka Castle Gornja Rijeka, Koprivnica-Križevci County Castle
Grižane Castle Grižane-Belgrad, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Castle
Grobnik Castle Grobnik, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Castle 10th century From 1225 belonged to the Krčki (later renamed Frankopan) family and from the 16th century to the Zrinskis.
Gvozdansko Castle
Hreljin Castle
Hvar Fortress
Ilok Castle
Kamerlengo Castle Trogir, Split-Dalmatia County
43°30′55″N 16°14′51″E / 43.51528°N 16.24750°E / 43.51528; 16.24750 (Kamerlengo Castle)
Fortress Mid-15th century
Kamičak Castle Krka National Park, Šibenik-Knin County 14th century
Kaštilac Kaštel Gomilica, Split-Dalmatia County
Klenovnik Castle Klenovnik, Varaždin County
46°16′22″N 16°4′36″E / 46.27278°N 16.07667°E / 46.27278; 16.07667 (Klenovnik Castle)
13th century 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.
Klis Fortress Klis, Split-Dalmatia County Fortress
Knin Fortress Fortress During the period of the early Croatian state it was an occasional residence of national rulers (Trpimir, Muncimir, Svetoslav, Držislav, Zvonimir and Petar).
Kožljak Kršan, Istria County 13th century
Kršan Kršan, Istria County 11th century
Lapšina Castle
Ledenice Castle
Lovrijenac Fortress
Lužnica Castle Manor
Mali Tabor Castle Castle
Maruševec Castle Maruševec, Varaždin County
Medvedgrad Zagreb, City of Zagreb
45°52′11″N 15°56′28″E / 45.86972°N 15.94111°E / 45.86972; 15.94111 (Medvedgrad)
Castle 1249–1254[5] 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]
Milengrad Budinščina municipality, Krapina-Zagorje County 13th century 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.
Mirabella Fortress (Peovica) Omiš, Split-Dalmatia County Early 12th century[3]
Monkodonja
Nečven Promina, Šibenik-Knin County Fortress 14th century
Nesactium
Nova Kraljevica
Novigrad Castle Novigrad, Zadar County
Novigrad na Dobri Novigrad na Dobri, Karlovac County
45°28′55″N 15°27′10″E / 45.48194°N 15.45278°E / 45.48194; 15.45278 (Castle Novigrad na Dobri)
Castle 14th century 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.
Novi Zrin
Nutjak
Obrovac Castle
Okić Fortress Okić, Samobor, Zagreb County
45°44′56″N 15°42′24″E / 45.7489218°N 15.7067853°E / 45.7489218; 15.7067853 (Okić Fortress)
Fortress 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]
Opeka Manor Vinica, Varaždin County
46°19′30″N 16°08′52″E / 46.32500°N 16.14778°E / 46.32500; 16.14778 (Opeka Manor)
Manor
Oršić Castle in Gornja Stubica 1756[citation needed]
Oršić Castle in Gornja Bistra
Oršić Castle in Slavetić
Oršić Castle in Jurketinec
Otočac Castle
Ozalj Castle Ozalj, Karlovac County
45°36′51″N 15°28′14″E / 45.61417°N 15.47056°E / 45.61417; 15.47056 (Ozalj Castle)
Mid-16th century[citation needed] 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]
Paz Cerovlje, Istria County 13th–17th centuries
Pazin Castle Pazin, Istria County 10th century
Pejačević Castle in Našice Našice, Osijek-Baranja county Castle 1811–1812
Pejačević Castle in Retfala Retfala, suburb of Osijek, Osijek-Baranja County Castle 1796–1801
Pejačević Castle in Virovitica Virovitica, Virovitica-Podravina County Castle 1800–1804
Pietrapelosa Buzet, Istria County Castle 10th century
Posert Castle Cerovlje, Istria County Castle 11th–14th centuries
Prandau-Normann Castle Valpovo, Osijek-Baranja County
45°39′33″N 18°24′55″E / 45.65917°N 18.41528°E / 45.65917; 18.41528 (Prandau-Normann Castle)
Potravlje Fortress Split-Dalmatia County 14th century[3]
Prozor Fortress Early 15th century[3] 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]
Ribnik Castle Ribnik, Karlovac County Castle
Ružica Castle Orahovica, Virovitica-Podravina County
Samobor Castle Samobor, Zagreb County
45°47′56″N 15°41′53″E / 45.79889°N 15.69806°E / 45.79889; 15.69806 (Samobor Castle)
Sinj Fortress
Sisak Fortress Sisak, Sisak-Moslavina County
45°29′16″N 16°22′26″E / 45.48778°N 16.37389°E / 45.48778; 16.37389 (Sisak Fortress)
Fortress 1544–1550 Built according to the order of the Bishop of Zagreb, the owner of the estate, following the increasingly threatening and devastating Turkish attacks on the Kingdom of Croatia. Today it houses the local town museum.
Slunj Castle
Sokolac Castle Brinje, Lika-Senj County
Starigrad Fortress (Fortica) Omiš, Split-Dalmatia County
Skrad castle Barilović, Karlovac County
Šarengrad castle Šarengrad
St. Nicholas Fortress Šibenik, Šibenik-Knin County Fortress
St. Michael Fort Preko, Zadar County
44°04′19″N 15°09′35″E / 44.07194°N 15.15972°E / 44.07194; 15.15972 (St. Michael Fort)
Šumber Sveta Nedelja, Istria County 13th–17th centuries
Tkalec Manor Štrigova, Međimurje County Manor 18th century
Topana Castle
Trakošćan Castle Bednja, Varaždin County
46°15′33″N 15°57′00″E / 46.25917°N 15.95000°E / 46.25917; 15.95000 (Trakošćan Castle)
Castle Drašković family occupied the castle until the early 20th century.[9]
Trsat Castle Rijeka, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County
Tržan Castle in Modruš
Tvrdalj Castle Stari Grad, Split-Dalmatia County 16th century[10] Fortified summer palace of the poet Petar Hektorović
Udbina Castle Udbina, Lika-Senj County 14th century
Veliki Bukovec Castle Veliki Bukovec, Varaždin County 1745–1755
Veliki Tabor Castle Desinić, Krapina-Zagorje County
46°09′17″N 15°39′05″E / 46.15472°N 15.65139°E / 46.15472; 15.65139 (Veliki Tabor Castle)
Castle Early 16th century[9] Perched on top of a hill, at an altitude of 334 m (1,096 ft), 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]
Vitturi Castle Kaštel Lukšić, Split-Dalmatia County
43°33′18″N 16°22′05″E / 43.555°N 16.368°E / 43.555; 16.368 (Vitturi Castle)
Vrana Castle Vrana, Zadar County Early 12th century
Vrgorac Castle
Zadvarje Castle Split-Dalmatia County 1478–1482[3]
Zajezda Castle
Zichy-Terbocz Manor
Zrin Castle
Zrinski-Frankopan Castle Severin na Kupi, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County
45°25′17″N 15°10′08″E / 45.42139°N 15.16889°E / 45.42139; 15.16889 (Castle Zrinski-Frankopan)
Castle 16th century 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.

See also

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References

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Notes
  1. ^ Coulson 2003, p. 16.
  2. ^ a b "Kastel Novi". mdc.hr. Museum Documentation Center. Archived from the original on 2011-06-14. Retrieved 2010-06-24.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Castles of Split Dalmatia County". inyourpocket.com. In Your Pocket City Guides. Archived from the original on 2011-06-10. Retrieved 2010-04-26.
  4. ^ a b "Međimurje info – Informativni portal Međimurske županije" (in Croatian). Retrieved Aug 12, 2022.
  5. ^ "Contagious Middle Ages". osaarchivum.org. Blinken Open Society Archives. Archived from the original on 2010-06-13. Retrieved 2010-05-23.
  6. ^ "Fortress Medvedgrad | Medieval Wall". 21 March 2010.
  7. ^ "Stari grad Okić - Samobor". www.samobor.hr (in Croatian). Grad Samobor. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  8. ^ "Ozalj-tz.hr".
  9. ^ a b c Oliver, Jeanne (2007). Croatia (4th ed.). Lonely Planet. p. 79. ISBN 978-1-74104-916-9.
  10. ^ Slobodan Prosperov Novak (2006), Hvar: Mjesta, Ljudi, Sudbine [Hvar: Places, People, Destiny] (in Croatian), Zagreb: Matica Hrvatska, ISBN 953-150-752-X
  11. ^ "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, ISBN 0-19-927363-4

Further reading

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