Tržan Castle

As early as the beginning of the 9th century, there was a fortress at this location. From 1193, the castle came into the possession of the Princes of Krk, later known as the Frankopans. Under their rule, Tržan developed into the main seat of this noble family on the Croatian mainland. Ivan V. and his son Nikola IV. Frankopan, both Viceroys of Croatia, resided here and had the castle expanded and fortified. Around 1437, it was given the name Tržan. Its construction, with walls, bastions, and towers reminiscent of a “fishbone pattern,” likely involved master builders from the Republic of Venice. The complex included a central defensive area, a palace for the princely family, a northern section with economic buildings, and a southern section for trade purposes. In 1449, the Frankopan estate was divided here. The castle was never conquered, but it lost significance at the end of the 15th century as the Ottoman threat increased and the population migrated. After 1553, it became part of the Croatian Military Frontier, housed a small unit, and was finally abandoned in 1791 after several unsuccessful renovation attempts.

The castle ruin of Tržan is located in Modruš, in the Karlovac County, in continental Croatia. It stands at an elevation of approx. 563 m above sea level.