Travnik Castle, Medieval fortress in Travnik, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Travnik Castle is a stone fortress built on a hilltop in central Bosnia with towers and defensive walls surrounding a central courtyard. The walls vary in height and thickness, with some sections showing original stonework while others have been rebuilt over time.
The fortress was built in the late 14th or early 15th century as a royal stronghold under Bosnian kings defending the region. In 1463, Ottoman forces under Sultan Mehmed II captured the site, marking a major turning point in its long history.
The fortress displays layers of construction from different rulers, with early stone walls standing alongside later modifications that reveal how each period adapted the structure to its needs. Walking around the fortification, you can see these additions stacked together over time.
The site is best reached on foot from the town of Travnik below, with a walk of about 20 minutes to reach the entrance. The paths are uneven and can be slippery after rain, so sturdy shoes and basic fitness are helpful for the climb.
The fortress still contains original powder magazines and prison cells from the Ottoman era hidden within its walls. These underground chambers reveal how the Ottomans organized and used the structure over several centuries.
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