Koznik - Tvrdjava, Castle

Grčak, Serbia, Serbia

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Koznik Fortress, perched on a steep conical hill at 920 meters near Grčak on mount Željin close to Brus in central Serbia, was likely built in the late 14th century during Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović's reign to counter Ottoman threats as a noble seat overlooking the Rasina valley and vital trade routes. First mentioned in Lazar's decree, it passed to Grand Čelnik Radič Postupović under Despots Stefan Lazarević and Đurađ Branković who fortified its irregular polygonal layout with seven square towers, thick ramparts, and spacious interiors following Morava school architecture. Seized by Ottomans in 1433 and held until Serbian rebels captured it in 1689, it lost strategic value post-Austro-Turkish wars and now stands as a well-preserved Monument of Culture of Great Importance accessible via hiking paths.