Stari grad u Velikoj Kladuši

tourist attraction in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Region: Northwest Bosnia — Bosanska Krajina

The Old Town in Velika Kladuša is a symbol of this small town in the far northwest of Bosnia and Herzegovina and one of its most recognizable motifs. The impressive stone fortress was built in the Middle Ages on a domed elevation above the Graborska River, dominating the surrounding landscape. It is first mentioned in 1280, when it belonged to the Blagaj Babonić princes, and over the centuries it was ruled by Croatian feudal lords and Ottoman dizdars. Velika Kladuša was the last Bosnian fortress to surrender to the Austro-Hungarian army in 1878, marking the end of armed resistance in Bosnia against occupation. The oldest, central part of the town is surrounded by a high and sturdy round wall, which was accessed by narrow steps. In the 1970s, a hotel and tourist complex consisting of sixteen buildings built in the old Bosnian style emerged around the fortress. Today, the Old Town is a favorite excursion spot, surrounded by dense pine forests, and an essential stop for all those touring these areas. It is also associated with legends of the epic heroes Mujo and Halil Hrnjica, synonymous with the brave Krajina people.