Kaštilac, Renaissance fortress in Kaštel Gomilica, Croatia.
Kaštilac is a Renaissance fortress built on a small islet, linked to the mainland by a stone bridge with multiple arches. The square structure features thick defensive walls built to withstand attacks from the sea.
Benedictine nuns commissioned the fortress in 1545 to defend against growing Turkish threats along the Dalmatian coast. Its construction was part of a broader effort to protect the region from repeated invasions and raids.
A church dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian stands within the fortress walls, showing Romanesque details from centuries past. This chapel served as a spiritual center for those who sought refuge inside.
Visitors can reach the fortress through its main entrance, where a functional drawbridge system once operated. The location is easily accessible and allows time to walk around the walls and examine its defensive features up close.
Refugees from destroyed villages called Upper and Lower Kozica settled inside the fortress and formed a new community. These displaced people brought their memories and customs into this refuge from the sea.
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