The fortresses of Turopolje

Abstract

This paper examines the defensive complexes and buildings that were built during the high and late middle ages in Turopolje, the historical-geographical region between the right bank of the Sava River in the northeast, the Sisak Posavina region in the southeast, the Pokuplje region in the south, the Vukomerić Hills in the southwest, and approximately the Samobor-Žumberak region in the northwest. Although historical sources testify to the existence of dozens of fortresses, in this paper we examine only those that have been preserved in the field, fully or as ruins, and those whose appearance can be reconstructed on the basis of old sketches or photos. Most of the mentioned fortresses have been preserved only in archaeological strata, and are distinguishable only through changes in the topography. Lukavec is an exception, and is also the only fully preserved fortress in the entire examined area, although it was extensively rebuilt in the Baroque and Neoclassical periods.