Grižane-Belgrad, Medieval settlement in Vinodol Valley, Croatia.
Grižane-Belgrad is a settlement built on steep hillsides in the Vinodol region and composed of stone houses connected by narrow paths. The buildings are scattered at different elevations across the slope and command views of the Adriatic Sea from an elevation of around 600 meters (1,970 feet).
The settlement dates to the medieval period and was part of a defensive system built by the Frankopan princes across the Vinodol region. The village endured through subsequent centuries of changing political control and remains inhabited to this day.
The name reflects the village's position between two hillsides, and the landscape shows how residents shaped it through terracing and stone walls over many generations. Walking through the settlement reveals how this way of building and living remains part of daily life.
The settlement is reached by walking through narrow paths and steep terrain between the houses, so sturdy footwear is essential. Most of the routes through the village are paved with stones, and exploring the settlement on foot is the only way to experience it fully.
Beneath the nearby Klamaruša hill lie several caves with natural formations that are accessible to visitors exploring the area. These underground spaces offer a striking contrast to the exposed, sun-filled landscape above and reveal a hidden aspect of the region.
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