Ražanac

Razanac A village on the south part of the Velebit Channel offers private accommodation in resort houses and in campsites, with clean sea, domestic food and fresh air coming from Velebit across the Channel. One of the most important symbols of Ražanac is definitely its fort locally called Kaštelina. It is not a mere pile of bricked stones, but presents a pride of Ražanac presence on this area and defiance to enemies no matter where they come from. Until the Ottoman outbursts, the old Croatian village of Ražanac was situated around St. Jadrija (St. Andrew) church in the field approximately 2 km south from the present-day village. Its current location dates back from the beginning of the 16th century, after the Venetians built numerous forts as a defense system against the Ottomans and bands of Uskok pirates in the Velebit Channel. That was the reason why three forts were built near the sea in Ražanac in 1507. They enclosed a small peninsula and were oriented into an east – west disposition; whereas the two side ones were smaller and located on the very coastline, the middle one was the largest and dominated the whole area. All three forts were connected with 1 m wide walls. Previously, the main entrance gates were situated around 3 m west from the middle fort; nowadays the retaining walls are partially ruined and are used as a passageway for cars. Luckily, the main entrance has avoided destruction over the years and is preserved to the present day. The foundations of some buildingss are still visible on several places, which is definitely something that scientists should explore. The eastern fort completely collapsed at the beginning of the 1980s due to vicinity of the sea, strong gusts of bora and irresponsibility of certain local individuals. As a result, only two forts and a major part of fortification walls are still preserved to this day. This is the background of Ražanac and our Kaštelina is only a small stone in the mosaic of the bulwark of Christianity (Antemurale Christianitatis), but it could also become the axis of the Razanacć tourist offer. The reconstruction of the fort began in 2008, which is definitely a compliment for the local government.