Novigrad Castle

Novigrad Castle, locally known as Utvrda Novigrad or by the generic name Fortica, lies above the village of the same name, in the county of Zadar in Croatia.

There has probably been a fortification at this site since the time of the ancient Liburnians. The fortification was also used by the Romans. In 1220, the old Roman fort was rebuilt and named "Castrum Novum" or "Fortica". It was rebuilt again in 1282 and turned into a formidable stronghold by a local magnate to protect his interests in the area.

In 1386, during a rebellion, Mary, Queen of Hungary and Croatia, was imprisoned in Novigrad Castle, along with her mother, Elizabeth of Bosnia. Mary was liberated after Ivan of Krk, with the help of a Venetian fleet, captured the castle after a siege. Her mother Elizabeth had already been strangled a couple of months earlier.

Novigrad was under Venetian control by 1409. During Venetian rule, the castle was further strengthened.

In 1571, a large Ottoman force unsuccessfully besieged Novigrad Castle. Later, in 1646, during the Cretan War, the Ottoman Empire briefly captured the castle, only to lose it to the Venetians again the following year. It remained a Venetian possession until 1797, when it was occupied by Austrian troops.

When the castle was finally abandoned and fell into ruin, I don't know.

Novigrad Castle is freely accessible. A nice castle ruin in a quaint village.

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