BOSNA I HERCEGOVINA / BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
THE OLD FORTRESS AND OSTROŽAC CHATEAU
A Fairy Tale in Cazin AMONG THE FORTRESSES THAT CAN BE FOUND IN THE CAZINSKA KRAJINA REGION, BEARING WITNESS TO THE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE PAST, THE OSTROŽAC FORTRESS STANDS OUT, WITH MANY VISITORS LIKENING IT TO A SCENE OUT OF A FAIRY TALE.
T
he Old Town of Ostrožac is located in the western part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Ostrožac Fortress sits on a hill above the left bank of the River Una and in the settlement bearing the same name which belongs to the Cazin Municipality, at a distance of 12 km from Bihać on the way to Bosanska Krupa, or more precisely – where the road branches off towards Cazin. Owing to its location, Ostrožac was the administrative centre of many rulers, including counts from Blagaj, various agas and beys, captains from Krajina and other famous, and less known, rulers. The significance of the old town of Ostrožac is best illustrated in the past of Cazinska Krajina. 64
A FORMERLY LUXURIOUS CHATEAU Whoever ruled the chateau would adapt it to their taste and the needs that would arise throughout various periods, and those who had the chance to see it until the start of World War II had this to say:
“The chateau is luxurious. The chambers are full of artfully crafted items. There are music rooms and a library with a large number of books, paintings, portraits of family members, large and small bedrooms, halls with hunting trophies, household items and furniture with wood carvings and marquetry.”
OUR HOME
A HOME TO NOBLE FAMILIES
“This is the most gorgeous place there is and it was meant to be our home…” Isabella pl. Berks shouted to her husband, Lothar von Berks, who was mayor of the Bihać District from 1896 to 1905. And he made her wish come true…
Its name, according to old records, was mentioned as early as in 1286. Chronicler Ivan Tomašević, however, claimed at that it had existed in 405 BCE under the name of Horosium or Hostosach, but this has not been historically proven.
