Novo Brdo Fortress, Medieval fortress in Novo Brdo, Kosovo
Novo Brdo Fortress is a medieval castle in the town of Novo Brdo, Serbia, made up of an Upper Town with a hexagonal layout and a central tower, and a Lower Town with rectangular buildings. The whole site is enclosed by walls and eight rectangular towers, with three gates providing entry and a dry moat running around the outside.
The fortress was built in 1285 on the order of King Stefan Uros II Milutin to protect the gold and silver mines of the region. In the 15th century it fell to Ottoman forces after prolonged sieges, marking the end of its role as a trading center.
Within the fortress walls, seven Orthodox churches and two Catholic ones once stood side by side, reflecting how people of different faiths shared the same space. Visitors can still trace the outlines of some of these religious buildings on the ground today.
The ruins sit on a hill and can only be reached on foot, so sturdy shoes are recommended since the ground is uneven and there are several levels to explore. The climb is short, but the top offers a wide view of the surrounding area.
The mines around the fortress produced a rare type of silver called glam, a natural alloy containing up to 33 percent gold. This made the settlement one of the most sought-after trading stops in the medieval Balkans.
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