Ostrovica Fortress, Medieval hilltop castle in Zadar County, Croatia

Ostrovica Fortress is a ruined medieval fortification on a solid rock jutting from the top of the hill above the village of Ostrovica, between Bukovica and Ravni Kotari. Only a stone water cistern, hewn stone stairway and fragments of gothic glazed ceramics remain on the plateau.

Ostrovica is first documented in 1168, when Byzantine emperor Manuel I Komnenos took it during his campaign in Dalmatia. In 1347 King Louis I of Hungary forced the Šubić family to exchange it for Zrin Castle, then used it as a base to expel Venice from Dalmatia by the Peace of Zadar in 1358. The Ottomans captured it in 1523, and it was razed in the second half of the 17th century.

The fortress was called the 'Key to the City of Zadar' because it controlled routes between Zadar and Knin and between Siscia and Salona. In 1405 it passed to Sandalj Hranić Kosača as dowry when he married Katarina, daughter of Vuk Vukčić Hrvatinić. A visitor can still find fragments of gothic glazed ceramics on the plateau.

The location at 318 meters elevation means you will face a steep climb with good views across the surrounding landscape. Wear sturdy footwear and allow time to explore the ruins and enjoy the views.

In 1347 King Louis I took Ostrovica from the Šubić family and gave them Zrin Castle in distant Slavonia in exchange. The Šubićs, princes of Bribir, had held the fortress and the whole Bribir County until then; Pavao II Šubić lived there until his death in 1346.