Magnificent fortress! The Doboj fortress Gradina was burned and destroyed at least 18 times

Bosnia and Herzegovina is rich in medieval fortresses, which testify to its history and strategic importance. It is estimated that there are over 300 fortresses in BiH, many of which are still preserved, and we have already explored many of them together. However, one of the fortresses stands out for its importance much more than the others.

It is about the Doboj fortress, also known as Gradina, which is located in the north of the country and dominates the valley of the Bosna, Usora, and Spreča rivers.

Doboj fortress Gradina, Photo: Dudlajzov, Depositphotos

Gradina is located on a hill above the town of Doboj, and from a height of about 200 meters, it overlooks the entire valley. Its location was not accidental in any sense because precisely from it, the key road in the east-west direction was monitored. It spread over an area of ​​about 1800m².

Built in the 13th century, on the foundations of an unknown wooden building, the Doboj fortress was first mentioned in written sources in 1415 in a letter from Dubrovnik merchants addressed to the Hungarian king Sigismund. Even in that period between the centuries, it was reconstructed and upgraded several times, especially after the first battle in Doboj.

Doboj fortress Gradina, Photo: Dudlajzov, Depositphotos

After Sigismund came to power as the supreme lord, this enraged the Bosnian rulers, who, to defend their position, sided with the Ottoman army and asked them for help freeing themselves from Hungarian rule. With this step, the second battle of Doboj began, after which the Hungarian government completely withdrew from this area.

Over time, the Ottoman army took over the fortress and modernized it by adding external walls and auxiliary structures.

During the Austrian-Turkish wars in the 17th and 18th centuries, the fortress was conquered and burned several times, including the famous campaign of Eugene of Savoy in 1697. After that, the Doboj fortress slowly loses its military significance and becomes a symbol of resistance and historical importance.

In the 19th century, the fortress, which was rebuilt several times, was also ruled by the Austro-Hungarian army, and it was also used during the First and Second World Wars as a refuge for the army. Over the years, there have been several attempts to restore it, with the last ones even recently, in 2016 and 2017, after it was vandalized.

Doboj fortress Gradina, Photo: Dudlajzov, Depositphotos

However, today Gradina is more than a historical monument, it is a cultural center that keeps many more secrets and stories within its walls that you will have to explore yourself!