{{Infobox military installation | name = Novigrad Castle<br/>(Fortica) | location = Novigrad, Zadar County, Croatia | coordinates = {{coord|44.1839|15.554|type:landmark|display=inline}} | image = Novigrad Croatia.jpg | caption = Novigrad Castle as seen from the Novigrad plateau | map_type = Croatia | map_size = | type = Hilltop castle | built = 1220 | builder = Kurjaković family | controlledby = | materials = | height = | used = | condition = Ruins | ownership = | open_to_public = yes | embedded = {{Infobox historic site | embed = yes | designation1 = Croatia Cultural | designation1_offname = | designation1_number = Z-4198<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arheološka zona Gradina |url=https://registar.kulturnadobra.hr/#/details/Z-4198 |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=Registar Kulturnih Dobara}}</ref> | designation1_type = Protected cultural good }} }}
'''Novigrad Castle,''' locally called '''"Fortica"'''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Stagličić |first=Ivan |date=2022-11-14 |title=Zadarski tjednik - Slikovita novigradska tvrđava Fortica... |url=https://zadarskitjednik.hr/magazin/kamo-na-izlet/slikovita-novigradska-tvrdava-fortica-2501960 |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=zadarskitjednik.hr |language=hr-hr}}</ref> is a ruined hilltop castle above village of Novigrad in Zadar County, Croatia.
== History == It is considered that during the Bronze Age, a Liburnian hillfort existed on the site of today's castle.<ref>{{Cite web |last=euroart |date=2013-09-08 |title=Mjesto kojim su šetala čak dva kralja |url=https://zadarskilist.novilist.hr/novosti/mjesto-kojim-su-setala-cak-dva-kralja/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Zadarski list |language=hr}}</ref> The area was subsequently conquered by Romans and became part of their state, until the fall of the Roman Empire in 476.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Lumen |date=2021-06-17 |title=Srednjovjekovni biser pod tvrđavom Forticom |url=https://zagrebmojgrad.hr/srednjovjekovni-biser-pod-tvrdavom-forticom/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Zagreb moj grad |language=hr}}</ref> It was subsequently controlled by the Ostrogoths, until emperor Justinian's reconquista.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Zadar |first=Novi radio |date=2022-06-20 |title=NOVA MONOGRAFIJA O NOVIGRADU Novigradska tvrđava mora biti od strateškog interesa za Zadarsku županiju i Hrvatsku |url=https://www.noviradio.hr/nova-monografija-o-novigradu-novigradska-tvrdava-mora-biti-od-strateskog-interesa-za-zadarsku-zupaniju-i-hrvatsku/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Novi radio Zadar}}</ref> In the aftermath of Aachen peace of 812, the place came under control of Croats who made it a place of strategic significance.<ref name=":3" />
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).<ref name=":0" /> By the late 1282, Juraj Gusić Kurjaković, count of Krbava erected new fortifications and had the castle thoroughly reinforced. Their purpose was to protect his possessions around Novigrad.<ref name=":0" /> During the feudal power struggles of late 14th century called "The anti-court movement", in 1386 the Hungarian-Croatian sovereign Mary and her mother Elizabeth of Bosnia, were imprisoned in the castle.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Novigrad je bio centar svita, a fortica tamnica dviju kraljica |url=https://www.vecernji.hr/lifestyle/novigrad-je-bio-centar-svita-a-fortica-tamnica-dviju-kraljica-1262739 |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=www.vecernji.hr |language=hr}}</ref> Elizabeth was eventually strangled by her captors.<ref name=":1" /> By 1409, the area became part of the Republic of Venice.<ref name=":2" /> The Venetians built additional fortifications.<ref name=":2" /> During the Venetian management, the castle was used as a residence of Venetian governor (provveditore).<ref name=":3" /> During the Cretan war, the Ottoman Empire briefly managed to capture the Novigrad Castle, only to be reclaimed again by the Venetians in 1647.<ref name=":0" /> The Venetian rule over this area continued until the end of the Republic in 1797.<ref name=":2" />
During the Croatian War of Independence, the wider area of Novigrad was fiercely contested during Operation Maslenica in January and February 1993. SVK's 7th North Dalmatian corps bolstered by elite Serbian Volunteer Guards (Arkan's Tigers) fought ferocious battles against Croatian Guards Brigades and special operations units with Serbs breaking the Croatian lines only to be pushed back by Croatian counterattacks.<ref>{{Cite book |last=CIA |title=Balkan Battlegrounds |year=2002 |pages=267–268}}</ref>
== Gallery == <gallery> File:Novigrad gore (cropped).jpg|The upper part of the castle. File:Novigrad dolje.jpg|A view towards the lower part of the castle. </gallery>
==External links== * [https://www.visitnovigrad.hr/en/explore/heritage-and-culture Fortica Fortress or Castrum Novum - a castle in Novigrad] * [https://www.destimap.com/index.php?act=attraction&a=Fortica-Castle%2C-Novigrad-Dalmatia%2C-Croatia Fortica Castle in Novigrad]
== References == {{reflist}} {{Castles in Croatia}}
Category:Castles in Croatia Category:Buildings and structures in Zadar County