Ražanac Castle

Ražanac Castle, locally known as Kaštel Ražanac, lies in the town of the same name, in the county of Zadar in Croatia.

At the start of the 16th century, the need for fortifications to protect the local settlements in the Zadar hinterland arose, due to the growing threat of Ottoman invasions. So, between 1507 and 1510 Ražanac Castle was built on a small cape next to the village. The castle then consisted of a curved curtain wall, blocking off the cape, with 2 towers at both ends and a 3rd tower somewhat in the middle, which may have served as a keep. The village was then relocated behind the castle walls.

The castle first protected the locals in 1520, during a Turkish incursion into the Zadar area. Again between 1570-73, during the Fourth Ottoman-Venetian War, and yet again at the beginning of the Fifth Ottoman-Venetian War in 1645. In 1664, however, the castle was abandoned and burned down, to prevent it from being used by the Ottomans.

After the Sixth Ottoman-Venetian War had ended in a Venetian victory, in 1699, Ražanac Castle lost its defensive purpose. Houses began to be built against the outside of the curtain walls and the village was slowly relocated outside the castle.

The complete castle was pretty much preserved up to the 20th century. Then the curtain wall, next to the west corner tower, was broken through to build a road to the harbor. Also, the curtain wall, next to the east corner tower, was broken through for the same road and partly became integrated into other buildings. The east corner tower was finally demolished in 1973. At present, the interior of the castle is a large parking lot for the harbor.

The site of Ražanac Castle is freely accessible. The tower itself can not be accessed. It slightly resembles the smaller Kaštelina Castle, on the island of Vir.

Gallery