This list of castles in Croatia includes castles, remains (ruins) of castles and other fortifications like fortresses which used to be 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 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]
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.
^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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