# Udbina Castle

- **Country:** Croatia
- **Coordinates:** 44.534167, 15.767222
- **Notes:** Udbina Fortress was a medieval fortress. Today it is a ruin at the Gradina archaeological site. It was built not far from the old parish fortress of Krbava Castle. The old castle was in an unfavorable defensive position, and the increasingly frequent incursions of the Ottoman army and Wallachian martolozi into this area forced the commanders to decide to abandon it.
- **Year Built:** 14th century
- **Castle Type:** Ruined Fortress
- **Location Text:** Udbina, Lika-Senj County

Udbina Castle is a ruined medieval hilltop fortification located in the town of Udbina within Lika-Senj County, Croatia. Constructed primarily from rough-hewn ashlar stone, the stronghold was likely built during the 14th century by the influential Kurjaković noble family, who served as the dukes of Krbava. First mentioned in historical documents in 1364, the castle occupies a strategic position at the northern end of the town, overlooking the expansive Krbava field. Its elevated location provided a critical vantage point for monitoring the surrounding region, making it an essential military asset during the centuries of conflict between Croatian forces and expanding Ottoman armies.

The site holds profound historical significance due to its proximity to the infamous Battle of Krbava Field in 1493, where Croatian troops suffered a devastating defeat against the Ottoman Empire. Following the death of Karlo Kurjaković, the castle remained under family control until it was captured by Ottoman forces in 1527. It stayed under Ottoman administration for over a century and a half until it was recaptured in 1689 by the Habsburg-Croatian army, subsequently becoming part of the Croatian Military Frontier under the Karlovac Generalate. Despite its strategic importance during these turbulent eras, the fortress was eventually neglected following the cessation of major hostilities.

By the end of the 19th century, lack of maintenance caused the structure to deteriorate into the ruins visible today. Although no longer inhabited or used for military purposes, the site remains a protected cultural good designated by the Republic of Croatia. The remnants of the castle stand as a silent testament to the region's volatile past, marking the boundary between Christian Europe and the Ottoman frontier for hundreds of years. Visitors to the area can view the stone remains which continue to dominate the landscape above the historic battlefield, serving as a lasting memorial to the noble families and soldiers who once defended this crucial borderland.

![Photo of Udbina Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/Tvr%C4%91ava_Udbina.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udbina_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)