Kurvingrad (Koprijan)

Kurvingrad, also historically known as Koprijan, is a ruined medieval fortress located in Klisura, within the Doljevac municipality of Serbia. Situated approximately 11 kilometers south of the city of Niš, the site overlooks the South Morava river from a strategic position on mountainous terrain. The fortress benefits from a clear view of the valley below and is naturally protected from rear attacks by the higher Seličevica Mountain. Although the exact year of its initial construction is not definitively recorded in available summaries, the site contains remnants dating back over a thousand years, with foundations originating in Classical antiquity.

The location holds significant historical value, having served as a defensive tower along the Via Militaris Roman military road during the Roman Empire and later as an important military point for the Byzantine Empire under the name Kompolos. It is believed that Emperor Justinian I may have restored the castle in the mid-6th century to protect against barbarian incursions. The visible fortifications were largely rebuilt during the reign of Knez Lazar upon these ancient Roman and Byzantine foundations. The site witnessed turbulent conflicts, including its conquest and destruction by Sultan Musa Çelebi in 1413 during Ottoman succession wars, before eventually being returned to Despot Stefan Lazarevic.

Today, Kurvingrad exists as an archaeological site where substantial fortifications remain, though they have not been extensively studied or fully excavated. The area is rich in historical artifacts, including discoveries of a Byzantine basilica and several graves in the vicinity. While the structure is currently in a ruined state, it stands as a testament to the region's layered military history, spanning from ancient Roman defenses to medieval Serbian strongholds. The name Kurvingrad itself is a later derivation meaning "Whoretown," distinct from its original medieval identity as Koprijan.