Novigrad: Coast, History and Maritime Tradition

Novigrad brings together clearly distinct travel interests: the coast and water sports, historic buildings, and its maritime and fishing past. To decide whether the town suits your travel interests, it is worth taking a look at these specific themes. Fortica and the churches represent history and architecture; the beach, underwater educational trail and mussel tradition reveal other sides of the town.

Fortica: distinct historical periods

Fortica Fortress stands on a hill above Novigrad. An Illyrian hillfort stood at this site, dating from between 2000 and 1000 BC. The fortress is also connected to a specific historical event: in 1386, Queen Mary of Hungary and Croatia and her mother, Elizabeth, were imprisoned there. The time span brings two distinct periods into view: the hillfort’s dating across a longer period and the precisely identified event of 1386. Fortica is also listed as a protected cultural property of Croatia under registration number Z-4198.

Churches with their own architectural and artistic histories

The Church of St. Kate is the oldest church in Novigrad. The Lika-Krbava magnate and Croatian Ban Butko Kuriaković had it built in 1393. This date is just seven years after the event at Fortica, anchoring the church’s history in a specific medieval period as well.

A different architectural landmark is the Parish Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a Neo-style building in the shape of a Latin cross, built from stone from Novigrad. The church preserves a 16th-century votive statue of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows. The church’s architectural form and a religious work of art with its own date thus represent distinct aspects.

Pebble beach and interests by the sea

The natural pebble beach gives the sea theme a tangible form. An underwater educational trail at the beach offers a way to explore marine life. The beach also offers kayaking, pedal boating, rowing and windsurfing. Maritime interests therefore range from exploring marine life to several specific water sports. If the sea is your main focus for your trip, you’ll find both a connection with nature and a range of activities here.

Maritime past and mussels

KUĆA DEŽDERATOVICA is an interpretation centre about the maritime and fishing past of the area around Novigrad, located in Novigrad. The annual traditional festival “Okusi Novigradske dagnje” offers a culinary connection to fishing. Mussels are prepared there after being freshly caught by experienced fishermen. While the centre explores the area’s past, the festival focuses on mussels and their preparation.

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Return to the main travel overview: Općina Novigrad.