Old Town Modruš

The Old Town of Modruš, situated at 670 meters above sea level, is one of the most significant historical sites in Croatia, with the remains of the Tržan fortress and the medieval Modruš hill fort dominating the landscape. These ancient ruins, carved into the living rock, evoke the image of a fortified Romanesque town that was once an important defense center, complete with an impressive system of towers and walls stretching about 1200 meters.

In the 15th century, Modruš was the seat of the Krbava-Modruš Diocese, which was moved to Modruš by Pope Pius II at the suggestion of Stjepan Frankopan. During this time, the town experienced its greatest prosperity. There were two monasteries here, Franciscan and Dominican, as well as the Cathedral of St. Mark. The nobleman Bernardin Frankopan, who governed Modruš, commissioned the writing of the Modruš Urbar – a crucial legal document of the time. It outlined the rights and duties of the inhabitants and nobility, and the document has been preserved in two Latin copies from the 16th and 17th centuries.

The town suffered during Ottoman attacks at the end of the 15th century, and the settlement below the fortress was never rebuilt. Modruš served as a military frontier until the Ottoman threat subsided and was completely abandoned in 1791.

Visitors to Modruš have the opportunity to discover the remains of medieval towers and walls, feel the atmosphere of history that shaped this area for centuries, and enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.