Tržan-grad (Modruš)

If you set off from Josipdol along the local road heading south-west, you will find yourself in a landscape of exceptional beauty. The narrow road begins to wind among picturesque hills, and from them views open to the south and east as far as the eye can see. On the highest and steepest of them you can make out the remains of Tržan-grad, a Frankopan fortress that was never taken.

Although it is said that a far older fortress from the 9th century stood above the old Roman road, Tržan truly flourished under Frankopan rule in the 14th century. It was an important fortress controlling the strategic road that linked Pannonian Croatia with the coast. At its foot the medieval fortified town of Modruš grew up, with several thousand inhabitants. Modruš was girdled by defensive walls 1,200 metres long, which joined the ramparts of the fortress at the top. Shortly before the Battle of Krbava the Ottomans managed to take and plunder Modruš, but Tržan-grad withstood the attack and remained unconquered.

The climb up Tržan is possible from two directions. We chose the one that starts at the church. The turning for the church is here: 45.14809139023526, 15.248279373867359, and the road takes you straight to the car park where you can leave the car: 45.148498, 15.249072. From the car park you head for the cemetery, which lies on raised ground above the church. Once inside the cemetery you will see the start of the trail on the left. The trail is mostly earthen and quite steep, so take care on the way down, as stones covered in mud can be extremely slippery.

We did not try the trail that comes up from the south. It is said to be a much gentler climb, but also somewhat longer.

Tržan-grad and Modruš are a place you should definitely visit if your travels take you around Ogulin and Josipdol. Besides their historical significance, they are graced by beautiful scenery and by incredible views from the top that reach tens of kilometres in every direction.