Gornji grad kninske tvrđave
The upper town of the Knin castle

Author(s): Krešimir Regan
Subject(s): Archaeology, Architecture, Local History / Microhistory, Military history, Security and defense, 17th Century, 18th Century
Published by: Hrvatski institut za povijest
Keywords: Knin; upper town; noble castle; stronghold;
Summary/Abstract: The upper town of the Knin castle is chronologically third complex on the St. Savior hill overlying of the modern city of Knin, as well as the core of the present day stronghold placed on the whole western part of the St. Savior hill. The oldest part of this stronghold were constructed no later than 950 and therefore the upper town of the Knin castle is one of the oldest medieval strongholds in Croatia. The upper town of Knin is developed mountain longitudinal noble castle which was thoroughly modified during the baroque period just to become artillery stronghold. It is place on the very northern edge of the Knin castle on the very long and strait ridge with the steep flanks, which is additionally separated from the rest of the hill by the broadside dike. The complex of the castellan’s residence is divided in two courts by the inner door. The southern court is smaller and lower, while the northern court is bigger and placed in the central part of the stronghold. In both of these courts there are several buildings of which the biggest are military barrack and the castellan’s house placed in the bigger court. Among the other existing buildings there are the remains of the old warehouse, than two large cisterns, powder warehouse, dungeons and the complex of the restrooms. The upper town of the Knin castle was defended by four rectangle and one circular semi-turret, but today only eastern and the upper town of the Knin castle semi-turret still exist. After the Venetian capture of Knin, during the period between 1688 and 1711, the former medieval and Ottoman upper town was transformed in baroque stronghold and incorporated in the complex of the Knin castle. During these construction work in the beginning of 18th century on the site of the southern turret the new fi ve-square cannon platform was built, while on the site of the north-eastern turret the new large prison house (Kalunerica) was constructed. Finally, the south-western turret was demolished in the period. In spite of the fact that the later baroque reconstruction had somewhat changed the original medieval upper town of the Knin castle, it remains one of the best preserved medieval defensive complex in Croatia.

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