TOURIST VALORIZATION OF CASTLES IN KARLOVAC COUNTY

Karlovačka županija je kroz hrvatsku povijest imala važan starteški značaj i u njoj je sagrađen veliki broj utvrđenih gradova da se zaštiti. Većina ih je podignuto u 13. stoljeću, na uzvišenom položaju, prvo zbog obrane od suparničkih plemićkih obitelji, a kasnije i vanjskih neprijatelja. Manja količina su nizinski gradovi. Gradili su se na strateškim položajima uz važne cestovne i riječne puteve. Stari gradovi se sastoje od glavne branič- kule, obrambenih zidina i ugaonih kula. Gradovima su gospodarile neke od najznačajnijih plemićkih obitelji kao što su Babonići, Frankopani i Zrinski. Svaki od starih gradova na ovom području ima svoju povijest, vrijeme i način gradnje, a prolazili su kroz razdoblja mnogih sukoba, napada Osmanlija, pljačke, obnove i zaborava. Neki od istaknutih u ovom završnom radu su Dubovac, Novigrad na Dobri, Bosiljevo, Ribnik, Ozalj i ostali.Karlovac County has had a significant strategic position throughout Croatian history and had a large number of fortified cities built for defense. Most of them were erected in 13th century, on raised positions, first for defense against rival noble families and later the external enemies. Just a few of them were built in the lowlands. Castles were built on strategic positions near important roads or river routes. The castles consisted of the main keep, defensive walls and angular towers. These cities were ruled by some of the most important noble families such as Babonić, Frankopan and Zrinski. Each castle in this area has its’ own history, time and method of construction and they stood there through periods of many conflicts, Ottoman invasions, lootings, reconstructions and neglect. Some of the distinguished are Dubovac, Novigrad on Dobra, Bosiljevo, Ribnik, Ozalj and others