Tešanj Castle

Medieval fortress in Bosnia and Herzegovina

44°36′48″N 17°59′22″E / 44.61345980441922°N 17.98939625450022°E / 44.61345980441922; 17.98939625450022TypecastleSite informationOwnerThe Government of Bosnia and HerzegovinaControlled byRegional Museum of TravnikConditionpreservedSite historyBuilt-th century^[1]Built by-In useuntil 20th c.^[2]Materialshewn stone (ashlar)Designations

KONS of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Official nameOld Tešanj castle, the architectural ensembleTypeCategory 0 cultural and historical propertyCriteriaA, B, C i.iii.iv., D ii.iv., E v., F ii.iii., G v.vii, I iii.iv.Designated25 January 2005 (?th session)Reference no.-Decision no.-StateNational Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Tešanj Fortress (Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian: Tešanjska tvrđava / Тешањска тврђава), also known locally as Gradina is a fortress located in Tešanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It remains one of the biggest historical defensive fortifications in the country with an area of 6,296 square metres (67,770 sq ft).

Location

The fortress is located on a steep cliff around which Tešanj city centre eventually was formed. It is accessible only from one side which had provided it with a good defensive advantage against any incoming forces.^[3]

History

No current historical sources identify the exact year of its construction or who its constructor was. The early foundation of this fortification had started some time during the Bronze Age^[3] and it was later gradually expanded by the Romans, Slavs and Ottomans. It has been primarily a defensive fortification and during the Ottoman period, the fortress had a permanent Ottoman Army garrison. In 1697, during Prince Eugene of Savoy's raid, it had been besieged for 3 days but remained unconquered.^[3]