TRAVNIK FORTRESS

Located on a rocky promontory, this former military work (Tvrđava Stari Grad) dominates the Varoš (Old Town) district. While it is one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in the country, its origins are not well known. It could have been built at the end of the 14th century by the Bosnian king Stjepan Dabiša or by one of his successors, Tvrtko II, in the early 15th century. However, the main part of the fortifications dates from the 1540s, when the Ottomans began to develop the city. A garrison was permanently stationed there until 1878, the year of the capture of Bosnia-Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary. With a surface area of 11,000 m², the fortress is surrounded by walls up to 2.70 m thick to resist artillery. On the west side, access is via a stone bridge and a large iron gate. The entrance is dominated by the minaret of a mosque partly demolished in 1946. The interior consists of three parts: central, high and low. In the center stands the polygonal tower (16th century). With a height of 11 m, it houses a small museum (costumes and history of the city). Nearby is a well-preserved Austro-Hungarian cistern that serves as a conference room. The upper part houses the pre-Ottoman remains of a palace and a tower. And in the lower part, near the ruins of an Austro-Hungarian barracks, there is a viewpoint from which to contemplate the city. In summer, the fortress comes alive with concerts and a market of handicrafts.