Opposite each other: Ostrovica and Havala hide a rich history and legend

If you are a fan of old cities, natural beauty, and interesting stories, then Kulen Vakuf is the right place for you.

This small town on the Una River, in the municipality of Bihać, offers you the opportunity to visit two impressive fortresses dating from the Middle Ages and the Ottoman period: Ostrovica and Havala.

The old town of Ostrovica, Kulen Vakuf, Photo: Muhur, Depositphotos

Ostrovica is a large medieval fortress located on top of a hill above the village of Ostrovica. It was built in the 15th century on the foundations of a Roman or even older fortification.

It was first in the possession of the Krbav princes Kurjaković, then Frankopan, Jurje Mikulčić, and Ivan Keglević, before finally falling into the hands of the Ottomans.

Legend has it that the Ostrovica soldiers had a hard time resisting the onslaught of the Austro-Hungarians and that the men who defended the city were joined by several brave Ostrovica women who wore armor and fought on an equal footing, which is how the legend of the Bosnian Amazons from Ostrovica was born.

With its high walls, towers, and bastions, Ostrovica was a strategically important fortress that controlled the Una valley and road communications.

Havala is a smaller but no less interesting fortress located on the opposite side of the valley, across the Una River. It was built in the 17th century, during the reign of Sultan Ahmed III.

This fort served as a defensive fortress that supervised the bridge over the Una and Kulen Vakuf, as well as the road that connected Lika and Dalmatia with other parts of the region.

The Havala consists of a stone entrance, one tabiya (cannon tower), and a wall that encircles the eastern side. A masjid (mosque) was also located within the fort, whose mihrab (niche showing the direction of Mecca) is still visible.

Ostrovica and Havala are today national monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which attract many visitors and lovers of cultural heritage.

In addition to enjoying the view of these two forts, you can also walk to them and explore their remains. Also, you can refresh yourself in the clear and cold flow of the Una River, which is known for its beauty and abundance of fish.