Čačvina Castle

Čačvina Castle, locally known as Utvrda Čačvina, lies east of the hamlet of the same name, in the county of Split-Dalmatia in Croatia.

Čačvina Castle was first mentioned in the 14th century, when it was held by Prince Ivan Nelipčić of Cetinj. It is unclear exactly when; one source mentions 1345, while another mentions 1371. Both dates fall within Ivan Nelipčić's rule. The castle was built on the site of an earlier fortification dating back to Late Antiquity.

It passed to the Frankopan family through inheritance in 1435, only to be acquired by the House of Talovac a year later. Later, during the 15th century, it became one of the key strongholds of the Croatian kingdom to defend against Ottoman invasion.

The Ottomans first tried to buy it from the Croats, but their request was refused. In 1513, the Ottomans finally took the castle. It remained under the Ottoman Empire until 1717.

Čačvina Castle was mined during the formation of the French Illyrian Provinces in 1808. It probably remained a ruin ever since.

The castle was built on a mountain ridge and controlled an important route from the Sinj plains to Bosnia. It consisted of two towers with a narrow bailey between them. The Ottomans added outworks.

Čačvina Castle is freely accessible. It is a nice, small castle ruin offering great views of the surrounding area. Too bad that a couple of telecom antennas are placed so close to the ruin.

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