Novigrad Castle (Fortica) — Hidden Medieval Gem Near Zadar, Croatia

Novigrad Castle, locally called "Fortica" is a ruined hilltop castle above the town of Novigrad, near Zadar, Croatia. During the Bronze age a Liburnian hillfort existed on the site of today's castle. The castle itself was built in 1220 by reconstructing an older Roman fortification, therefore the complex was named "Castrum novum", or "Novigrad" (The New Castle).

🏰 A place where history comes alive — from ancient Liburnian settlements to dramatic medieval intrigue. During the feudal power struggles of the late 14th century called "The anti-court movement", in 1386 the Hungarian-Croatian sovereign Mary and her mother Elizabeth of Bosnia were imprisoned in this very castle and eventually strangled by their captors. During the Venetian period, the castle served as a residence of the Venetian governor.