The Best Preserved 13th Century Fortress

The old Medvedgrad burg in the Medvednica Nature Park is not only an important historical site but also the best preserved 13th century fortress, and it commands a breathtaking view of the entire city of Zagreb.

The Medvednica Nature Park, whose forested slopes descend almost to the very centre of the city of Zagreb, hides the old burg of Medvedgrad, the best preserved fortress from the 13th century. It was constructed under Bishop Philip as instructed by Pope Innocent IV, whose chief concern was to protect Kaptol and the diocesan property from Tatar onslaughts. The fortress was erected on Mali Plazur Hill, on the southern slopes of Medvednica Mountain. It provided an exceptional vantage point from which one could have excellent control of the area: the entire territory north of the mountain, and all the way to Turopolje in the south. The river passage along the Sava, including a ship crossing that existed at the time, was protected by another fortified burg, Susedgrad.

Medvedgrad had double walls and three gates. It is well known that it never came under attack, nor could that have realistically been foreseen, which is why a recent theory purports that the fortress was built to safeguard the church’s treasures.

There were two defence bulwarks as well as a cistern with bigger and smaller pebbles in order to filter the rainwater that was collected in it. The quite sizeable food storage room was a counter measure for a war tactic commonly used by our ancestors to crush the besieged enemy: they would encircle the city and sit and wait for the defender’s food and water supplies to be depleted. The most valuable individual building within the old fortress complex is the octagonal Chapel of St. Philip and James, with corner stones, rosettes and a three-metre high Romanesque portal.

A monument to all the heroes who had fallen during the Homeland War in Croatia was erected at Medvedgrad in 1994. The work of the author and sculptor Kuzma Kovačić consists of stone cubes arranged in the shape of the Croatian coat of arms. The cubes, which were carved from rocks that had been brought over from different parts of Croatia, depict motifs from Croatian history and the words of the Croatian anthem, and they are finished off with glass elements which symbolize tears.

To better promote this attractive locality, as well as to revive the customs and spirit of the Middle Ages, the cultural and tourist event “Medieval Days on Mount Medvednica” is organized every September. Some of its more popular features are a knights’ tournament and a crafts fair; visitors can sample dishes prepared according to medieval recipes and test their own prowess as participants in various knights' competitions. They can also enjoy medieval music and a series of other happenings which are all organized as part of this attractive event.

Medvedgrad is open to visitors every day between 11 A.M. and 7 P.M. You can reach it on foot or by car. There are guided visits for individuals, whereas larger group visits can be arranged by phoning the Public Institution Medvednica Nature Park at 4586 317, or by sending an e-mail to info@pp-medvednica.hr.