2007 Croatia, Karlovac
ROHILAS IN EUROPE-XII
September 27-October 14, 2007

October 10

Karlovac,a fortified military outpost, was founded in the 16th century and named after Karl II, a Habsburg commander. The fortification was strong enough to make the Ottomans abandon their designs on it, after seven different unsucessful sieges.

Only about 35 miles southwest of Zagreb, this town of 60,000 people is located on the Zagreb-Rijeka highway and railway line, and four different rivers, the Kupa, the Korana, the Mreznica and the Dobra.

During the Croatian War of Independence (1991-95), being close to the frontlines between the Croatian and the Serb forces, parts of Karlovac suffered heavy damage.

Bullet-holes and other damage can still be seen on the exterior of some buildings.



In the open space between some buildings which were heavily damaged the town people have set up an “open-air museum” dedicated to the area’s battle.



















Here one can see a few tanks, armored vehicles, airplanes, and other military hardware, which had been captured from or left behind by the Serbs.







Nearby is a memorial to the native martyrs.




After a brief photo-stop here, we left for Zagreb.