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. Exactly when is unclear; one source mentions 1345, while another mentions 1371. Both years fall within the rule of Ivan Nelipčić. It was built on the site of an earlier fortification dating back to Late Antiquity.

The castle 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 protect it from Ottoman invasion.

The Ottomans first tried to buy it from the Croats, which was refused. In 1513 the Ottomans finally took the castle. It then remained a property of the Ottoman Empire until 1717.

Čačvina Castle was mined during the forming 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 2 towers with a narrow bailey between them. The Ottomans added outworks.

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

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