First line of defense! The Otočac fortress defended the entire region of the Gacka River!

In our recent visit to Otočac, to which we primarly arrived due to their autumn fair, we decided to embark on a tour of the historical and natural sights of this region. It is a wonderful region that has developed around the Gacka River and has a lot to offer, but first of all, let’s go to its fort.

Fortica – Otočac, Photo: Adria.fun

When you arrive in Otočac, a visit to the fortress is unavoidable. Its Fortica is located on the very hill above the city, just a few minutes by car or about 30 minutes on foot, it depends on what you prefer. It is worth a visit, partly because of its history and the panoramic view of the river valley and the city itself. To reach it, I suggest you go there with the help of the map at the end of the article, because there are fewer signs.

Even near the end of the road, you’ll think you’ve entered someone else’s yard because the road officially ends here, but you can drive to the very beginning of the “calvary” by car.

Fortica – Otočac fortress, Photo: Adria.fun

In case you didn’t know, the Fortica was built in 1619 as part of a defense system against Ottoman incursions. The people of Senj built it further to protect Otočac and the wider area of ​​Gacka, thereby protecting Senj and the Croatian coast.

The fort itself has a very interesting appearance and, as the Tourist Board says on its official website, it is one of two such in Croatia. It had a triangular floor plan with three towers – two smaller and one larger – connected by walls. It was built quickly, mostly from smaller stones, which indicates a lack of time and resources to carve larger stone blocks.

Archaeological research has even revealed the foundations of an older, medieval fort with a triangular floor plan, probably from the 13th century, which could suggest that it might have been built by the Frankopans, the owners of the Gacka and Otočac region at the time.

Fortica – Otočac fortress, Photo: Adria.fun

During the 17th and 18th centuries, Fortica served as a military stronghold and a residence for officers of the Otočac Regiment. With the reduction of the Ottoman threat at the end of the 17th century, the fort lost its original purpose, and at the beginning of the 19th century, it began to lose its significance and was gradually abandoned.

Until the middle of the 19th century, it was still in good condition, but by the end of that century, the towers were partially demolished, and the material was used for the construction of other buildings. After the Second World War, the remaining parts of the fort were further destroyed, and the hill was gradually forgotten as a historical place, but not for long.

Today, visitors to the fortress and the Fortica hill can also visit the Way of the Cross with 15 Stations leading to the top. What is certainly interesting is that each of these stations is carved in stone and is very beautiful to see. There is also a unique octagonal chapel at the top.

Way of the cross Fortica – Otočac, Photo: Adria.fun

What will certainly interest all visitors to the fortress is a glimpse of the fortress as it looked 400 years ago.In June 2024, the Tourist Board of the City of Otočac presented the mobile application “Discover Otočac“, which uses augmented reality (AR) technology to provide visitors with a virtual view of the fortress in its original appearance. So if you’re planning to go there, be sure to download it and try it out.

It was very nice for us, so we hope it will be for you too!

In the vicinity of Otočac, visit:

We visited Majerovo and Tonkovićevo vrilo, two jewels of the Gacka valley!