Knin Fortress — Attraction in Grad Knin

Nestled atop the rugged cliffs like a proud sentinel of history, Knin Fortress stands as a testament to the passage of time and the resilience of Croats. Imagine stepping into a time machine that transports you to the medieval ages, where the air is thick with tales of valiant knights, daring sieges, and whispered secrets. The moment you ascend the ancient stone steps and lay your eyes on the panoramic view that unfurls before you, it's as if the mountains and valleys themselves have decided to reveal their splendor only to those who venture to this enchanting fortress.

The sight that greets you is nothing short of breathtaking – a magnificent tapestry of emerald valleys, cradled by majestic mountains, as far as the eye can see. With every breeze, the tales of centuries past seem to come alive, resonating with the heartbeat of generations that have walked these very paths. The stones beneath your feet hold stories of bravery and camaraderie, as they witnessed both the triumphs and tribulations of a bygone era.

But Knin Fortress is not just a relic of the past; it's a living, breathing testament to the resilience of a community that has weathered storms and emerged stronger. Its recent history intertwines with a celebration that echoes through the ages – the Day of Victory over Serbian and Yugoslav Army. As you stand within the fortress walls, you can almost hear the echoes of jubilation as the city reclaimed its freedom. The spirit of the true fighters who liberated the city is palpable, a reminder that history isn't merely confined to textbooks – it's etched into the very stones around you.

And yet, even as we celebrate this victory, it's a stark reminder that not all battles are confined to the pages of history. The stance of government officials barring true fighters from entering the city they liberated is a testament to the complexities of our times. It's a call to remember that honoring our veterans and their sacrifices isn't just about words; it's about actions that reflect the spirit of gratitude we hold in our hearts.

Speaking of veterans, let's raise a glass to the brave souls who have stood unwaveringly for the ideals they hold dear. Their valor and sacrifice continue to inspire us, reminding us that the true heroes are not just those in capes, but those who stand tall in the face of adversity for a cause greater than themselves.

And when you're ready to step away from the historical echoes and embrace the beauty of nature, nearby gems like Krka Waterfall beckon with open arms. The symphony of rushing waters, the lush greenery, and the vibrant energy of the falls offer a stark contrast to the fortress's stoic grandeur. It's a reminder that even within the most ancient of landscapes, life flourishes and evolves.

So, as you stand at the Knin Fortress, let your spirit soak in the stories, the victories, and the resilience that have shaped this land. And as you venture forth, remember that every step you take is a continuation of the legacy that began here – a legacy of strength, unity, and the unwavering spirit...

KNINSKA TVRĐAVA

Na najvišem platou brda Spas kod Knina u srednjem je vijeku izgrađena odbrambena građevina koja će postati simbolom grada. Tu je tvrđavu prvi spomenuo bizantski car Konstantin Porfirogenet u 10. vijeku, ali vjerovatno se počela graditi već u 9. vijeku u vrijeme nastanka starohrvatske države. Neki hrvatski kraljevi (Svetoslav Suronja, Držislav, Petar Krešimir IV) povremeno su stolovali u Kninu, sve do kralja Dmitra Zvonimira koji je odabrao Knin kao stalnu prijestolnicu. Okrunjen je 1075. godine. Tada se Knin razvio u pravi srednjovjekovni grad s administracijom i biskupom. Posljednji hrvatski kralj Petar Svačić je također vladao iz Knina. Pet godina nakon njegove smrti, Hrvatsko kraljevstvo gubi nezavisnost i ulazi u personalnu uniju s Ugarskom.

Tada Knin gubi status prijestolnoga grada te središta hrvatskog biskupa, no tvrđava je ostala značajno administrativno i vojno središte u kojem stoluje herceg – zamjenik kralja za Hrvatsku i u kojem se nalaze banski i županijski sud te u kojem se sazivaju dalmatinsko-hrvatski sabori.

U 13. vijeku Mađari proglašavaju Knin kraljevskim gradom u kojem stoluje herceg Bela.

Početkom 14. vijeka za vlast nad Kninom se bore hrvatski velikaši Šubici i Nelipčići.

Bosanski kralj Tvrtko zauzima Knin 1388. godine. Knin se ponovno vraća pod ugarsku vlast 1392. godine kad je hrvatski ban Nikola Gorjanski potukao kod Golubića bosanskog vojvodu Vuka Vukčića.

Knin je 1401. godine bio meta nasrtaja i pljačke vojske velikog vojvode bosanskog Hrvoja Vukčića Hrvatinića te mu je stanovništvo moralo plaćati visoke sume novca i davati bogate darove da ih zauzvrat ne dira. Knin je neko vrijeme (1402) bio pod njegovom vlašću.

Stalni napadi Osmanlija na kninsku tvrđavu počinju 1469. godine. Kninski garnizon se predao 29. maja 1522. godine. Vojsku bosanskog sandžaka predvodio je Gazi Husref beg. Komandant kninske tvrđave Mihajlo Vojković iz Klokoča kod Slunja predao je grad bez borbe.

Tako je Knin ušao u sastav Osmanskog carstva i to kao nahija u sastavu bosanskog sandžaka do 1537. godine. Te je godine osnovan kliški sandžak u koji ulazi i kninska nahija. Knin dobija status kasabe. Pretpostavlja se da je Knin bio središte Krčko-ličkog sandžaka osnovanog 1574. godine.

Tokom kandijskog rata, Venecija se 1648. godine dočepala Knina kojeg su nešto ranije Osmanlije napustili. Venecija u tom ratu nije namjeravala zadržati Knin pa ga nakon pola godine napušta. Tada djelimično razara tvrđavu. Osmanlije nakon povratka u razrušeni i popaljeni Knin, odmah pristupaju njegovoj obnovi i jačanju.

U doba morejskog rata, poslije dugih i opsežnih priprema, mletačka vojska 1688. godine opsjela je Knin s 10 hiljada vojnika . Nakon 14 dana borbe, 11. septembra 1688. godine, posada tvrđave se predala.

Godine 1797. prestaje postojati Mletačka republika, a Knin dolazi pod prvu vladavinu Austrije. Ta prva vladavina Austrije bila je kratkog vijeka. Požunskim mirom 26. decembra 1805. godine Austrija prepušta Dalmaciju Napoleonu.

Napoleonova katastrofa u Rusiji 1812. godine i poraz u “bici” naroda kod Leipziga 1813. godine pospješili su i ubrzali propast francuske vlasti u Dalmaciji, pa i u Kninu. Tako već 30. oktobra 1813. godine general Severio Tomašić ulazi sa vojskom u Knin čime je započela druga vladavina Austrije koja će trajati do 1918. godine.

Tek pomicanjem austrijsko-osmanske granice na Drinu 1878. godine, Knin prestaje biti vojno strateški centar a tvrđava počinje propadati.

Današnji izgled tvrđava je poprimila u 18. vijeku. Smještena je na 345 metara nadmorske visine (100 metara iznad Knina). Duga je 470 m, a na najvišem je dijelu široka 110 m. Odbrambeni zidovi koji je opasuju sa svih strana u dužini od gotovo 2 kilometra mjestimično su visoki i do 20 m. To je druga najveća fortifikacijska tvrđava u Evropi. Dijeli se na pet međusobno povezanih dijelova: Gornji grad (Kaštel Knin, najstariji dio tvrđave), Srednji grad, Donji grad (ulaz u tvrđavu), Kaštel lab (Bandijera – mjesto gdje danas stoji zastava) i Južni grad (Belveder, najmlađi...

My partner and I visited the Knin Fortress today and were very impressed. The site is not only historically significant but also hosts several exhibitions, including displays related to the Balkan War, which were both informative and thought-provoking. The fortress itself is expansive, and visitors can easily spend half a day exploring the grounds. During our visit, there were only a few other tourists, which made the experience even more enjoyable and allowed us to take in the atmosphere at a leisurely pace.

For those seeking an additional highlight, the fortress also features a zipline experience. Unfortunately, it was closed at the time of our visit.

Overall, Knin Fortress is well worth a visit. It is rare to have the opportunity to walk through the second-largest fortress in Europe, and we highly recommend...