Drivenik Castle

Drivenik Castle - Kaštel Drivenik, Drivenik, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Republic of Croatia.

The name of the castle, "Drivenik," one of nine towns mentioned in the "Law Code of Vinodol," signed in 1288, indicates that it was originally wooden. It was converted to stone between the 13th and 15th centuries, when it belonged to the Frankopan family, who controlled traffic through Vinodol and received it as a gift from the Croatian-Hungarian King Bela IV for their military service.
A narrow road leading to the fortress leads to a bell tower and the central part of the small ancient town, perched on a hill at an altitude of 181 meters. This location offers a magnificent view of the valley and the mountain lake Tribaldj.
The fortress has a rectangular foundation with round corner towers, a half-tower, and a defensive tower, built in the Romanesque style and the oldest part of the fortress. A moat once filled with water surrounded the castle, and a drawbridge led to the gate. The castle contained residential buildings, storerooms, cellars, and a water reservoir.
In 1571, according to an inscription on its walls, the castle was enlarged and completed in the style of Renaissance fortresses. Then, in 1577, the castle was ruled by the noble Zrinski family. After the failure of the Zrinski-Frankopan conspiracy, Drivenik Castle became the property of the crown. From that time on, the fortress lost its significance. In the mid-18th century, the entire population abandoned the castle and went down to live in the valley, where the modern settlement of Drivenik arose near the newly constructed road.
Currently, concerts are held in the castle courtyard. It is closed at other times.