Discovering the medieval fortress of Kličevica

n the heart of Ravni kotari, near Benkovac, visible even from the nearby highway, is one of the best preserved medieval forts on the Croatian coast – the Kličevica fort.

This historic building, located above the canyon of the Kličevica River, seems as if it grew out of the earth itself, its stone structure naturally fits into the surroundings of the pine forest.

The fortress is a testimony to a turbulent past, and its position and architecture speak volumes about its strategic importance in the Middle Ages.

Kličevica Fortress, Photo: Adria fun

Kličevica was built in the 15th century, at a time when political borders in this part of Croatia were subject to frequent changes.

The noble Kurjaković family, which was very influential in the political life of the Croatian-Hungarian Kingdom at the time, encouraged its construction.

Members of the Kurjaković family were well-known military commanders and advisers, and they largely built their influence on estates that stretched from Zadar to Benkovac.

Kličevica Fortress, Photo: Adria fun

Although in 1409 Ladislav Napuljski, king of Hungary, sold Dalmatia to the Venetians for 100 thousand ducats, the Kurjaković estates remained exposed to danger because they bordered Venetian Dalmatia.

In order to secure their properties and strategically protect their assets, the Kurjaković family decided to build a fort. It was completed in 1454, at the height of tension between the Venetians and the local nobles.

Kličevica Fortress, Photo: Adria fun

Kličevica fortress is located in an exceptional position. Its trapezoidal shape and dominant tower offer an incredible view of the surrounding mills in Ravni kotari.

Mills were not only places for grinding grain; they were key to controlling the food trade in this fertile area and thus to economic power. Kličevica was a real “guard fortress“, which protected the mills and the trade itself that passed through Ravni kotari.

Kličevica Fortress, Photo: Adria fun

The very appearance of the fort, although partially erased by time, still reflects its medieval strength and imposingness. The tower, which rises above the rest of the building, is not just a decoration – it was crucial for defense, from which the guards had a view of the wide surroundings.

The stone roof, preserved to this day, reminds us of the skill of builders from the 15th century, who knew how to make a structure that would last for centuries.

Kličevica Fortress, Photo: Adria fun

A visit to Kličevica is not just a journey into the past, it is a journey into the heart of Croatian history. Even after all these centuries, the fortress is a testimony to the courage, resourcefulness, and strategic wisdom of the people who built it.

Here, in this secluded and peaceful place, you can feel the spirit of the Middle Ages, feel the strength of not only the fortress itself but also the people who defended it and lived in it.