Karlovac, Star-shaped fortress town in central Croatia
Karlovac is a town in central Croatia located where four rivers - the Kupa, Korana, Mrežnica, and Dobra - meet and create a network of waterways throughout the settlement. The rivers divide the town into distinct sections and are visible from many streets and public spaces.
Charles II of Austria founded this town in 1579 as a fortress designed to defend against Ottoman expansion, creating a distinctive six-pointed star layout. The strategic location and planned design made it a crucial defensive position that shaped regional development for centuries.
The City Museum occupies former military barracks and displays exhibitions about the region's role in past conflicts and daily life throughout different periods. The collections show how the town's location shaped the lives of those who lived here.
The town features an extensive network of cycling and walking paths connecting bridges, monuments, and surrounding villages for easy exploration. Getting around is straightforward because the infrastructure is well-developed and accessible to visitors.
The original Renaissance street layout with six symmetrical points remains visible in how the city is organized today, making it one of the few preserved examples of this planned design in the region. Looking at a map or from a high viewpoint, the geometric pattern becomes immediately clear.
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