Drniš Castle

Drniš Castle, locally known as Utvrda Gradina, lies in the town of Drniš, in the county of Šibenik-Knin in Croatia. The name 'Gradina' is a more generic Croatian name and is often used referring to fortified places, like hill forts, small settlements or castles.

Archaeological findings reveal traces dating back to Late Roman times, suggesting a castrum may have stood at this site to control local trade routes. The location is strategic; it’s next to a canyon of the Čikola River, where the river widens into the Petrova Plain.

The exact date of the castle’s construction is unknown, but it was likely built during the 14th century by the Nelipić family, Croatian nobles who controlled this area from 1322 onward. In that century, they also built several other castles along the Krka and Čikola rivers, including Ključica, Kamičak, Bogočin, and Nečven, forming a chain of fortifications. The village began to develop next to the castle and was first mentioned in 1494.

In 1522, the Ottomans conquered the area and captured the Drniš Castle. They then upgraded and fortified it to suit their needs. The ruined round tower visible today dates from this period.

During the Fifth Ottoman-Venetian War, in 1649, the castle was seized by Venetian troops led by Commander Leonardo Foscolo. To prevent it from falling back into Ottoman hands, Foscolo had the castle demolished. The Ottomans were expelled from the area in 1684, and Drniš came under Venetian rule. Despite this, the Ottoman threat remained, and because of Drniš’s strategic importance, the Venetians restored the medieval castle, strengthening it into part of a larger bastion fort.

By 1715, the Ottoman threat had diminished, and the castle lost its military role. It was finally abandoned in the early 19th century and became a source of building material for local residents.

Today, little remains of the 17th-century Venetian fort. Only the ruined Ottoman tower and some medieval wall remnants are still visible. Drniš Castle is open to the public. It’s a picturesque castle ruin, now part of a small public park.

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