Frankopan Bakar Castle

Frankopan Bakar Castle - Kaštel Frankopanski Bakar, Bakar, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Republic of Croatia.

Construction of the fortress on a 50-meter hill began in 1225. Over the centuries, due to the threat of Ottoman and Venetian attacks, the castle was repeatedly rebuilt and renovated by its owners, the Frankopan and Zrinski families, who owned it until 1671, when, following a failed conspiracy, the heads of the families were executed, and the rest were subjected to repression. After this, the castle became the property of the city. During the earthquake of 1750, the fortress was partially damaged. Subsequent repairs further changed the castle's appearance. From 1766 to 1781, a linen factory was built here. In 1849, the castle housed the newly founded Naval School. In the 19th century, the fortress became a barracks for the Austrian army.
Bakar Castle itself, also known as Frankopan Castle, is small, but has a majestic and austere appearance. The massive stone walls lack decorative elements, revealing only narrow loophole windows covered by wooden shutters. The ancient towers are connected on the interior by walkway walls. The castle once housed several kitchens, a chapel dedicated to St. Michael with a Baroque altar, a dungeon, and numerous spacious halls. The second-floor rooms offer picturesque views of the city and Bakar Bay.
This is the most "authentic" medieval castle in Croatia, as it hasn't been seriously restored since the mid-20th century. Even then, in an effort to preserve the architectural monument in its original form, no modern touches were added.
The castle is now state-owned and open to the public.