Knin Fortress

Knin Fortress Tvrđava Knin
Knin Croatia
View from the Knin Fortress
Knin Fortress Tvrđava Knin
Coordinates	44°02′03″N 16°11′37″E / 44.034037°N 16.193494°E / 44.034037; 16.193494
Type	Fortification, mixed
Height	ca. 20 meters
Site information
Open to the public	Yes
Condition	Slightly renovated
Site history
Built	Unknown, probably in the 6th or 10th century
Built by	Various Croat rulers, expanded mostly by: Ignacije Macanović Orazio Antonio Alberghetti
Materials	Limestone

Various Croat rulers, expanded mostly by:

Knin Fortress (Croatian: Kninska tvrđava) is a partially ruined fortress located just above Knin, Croatia. It is one of the biggest and most significant defensive strongholds, and a historical town in the Šibenik-Knin County in the Dalmatian hinterland. The construction of the fortress started as early as 9th century, while the current state was brought up in 17th and 18th centuries. It reached its peak during the reign of Demetrius Zvonimir, King of Croatia from 1076, as it served as a political center of the Croatian Kingdom under him.

It is situated on the main transport corridor leading from Dalmatia to continental Croatia and Bosnia. The Knin Fortress lies on top of the steep Spas mountain, just 100 meters (328 ft) above the Croatian town of Knin, whose historical location was formed quite early at the foothills of the same mountain. Archaeological excavations date that this area was populated since the 6th century. It is 470 metres (1,540 ft) long, and 110 meters (361 ft) wide, elevated at 345 metres (1,132 ft) above the sea. The original look of the building, because of the lack of its material, isn't completely known. According to other similar fortifications from that time, it is assumed that it was surrounded by high walls, while the construction was accommodated to the terrain; it is environmentally secured by steep slopes on some places.

The fortress comprises three parts: northern, middle and southern. Each part of the fortress is protected by loopholes and gun holes, and is connected to other parts by the city gates and drawbridges. The formation of the northern section, according to recent research, happened from the middle of the 8th century to the end of the 11th century.

Baroque stone gates are set on the main entrance to the fortress, where the doors are made out of oakwood and strengthened with iron nails. This monumental entrance was most likely constructed by Ignacije Macanović, a builder from Trogir. Above the doors, the symbol of the Venetian Republic can be seen.