Medieval

castle A castle is a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by military orders. Scholars debate the scope of the word ''castle'', but usually consider it to be the private fortified r ...

Dobra Kuća (meaning "Good House", also hu, Dobrakutya) was an important fortification of the region in the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...

. It is often mentioned in Croatian medieval sources. It is situated near city of Daruvar,

Croatia , image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg , anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland") , image_map = , map_caption = , capit ...

. Dobra Kuća, owned by various persons, was a vivid centre of then rich country. The castle was built after castle Stupčanica in the 14th century. It was first mentioned in 1335, when king Charles I of Hungary exchanged royal estate of new Litva for castle Dobra Kuća with Dobra Kuća family. While neighbouring castle Stupčanica can be seen from far well, castle Dobra Kuća is a real place of refuge; it is located on a solitary hill surrounded by mountains in every directions and cannot be seen unless you are at the bottom of it. The

market town A market town is a settlement most common in Europe that obtained by custom or royal charter, in the Middle Ages, a market right, which allowed it to host a regular market; this distinguished it from a village or city. In Britain, small rural ...

of Dobra Kuća was mentioned in 1510s, it belonged to Bjelovar-Križevci County. The settlement and surrounding area flourished until the conquest by

Ottomans The Ottoman Turks ( tr, Osmanlı Türkleri), were the Turkic founding and sociopolitically the most dominant ethnic group of the Ottoman Empire ( 1299/1302–1922). Reliable information about the early history of Ottoman Turks remains scarce, ...

. Ottoman troops captured the castle in 1542 and henceforth controlled it by a guard of thirty men. Following the retreat of Ottomans, Dobra Kuća fell into decay and disrepair.

Sources

* https://web.archive.org/web/20090206234554/http://varak.hu/ *

External links

Dobra Kuća is 8 km far from Daruvar
Castles in Croatia Medieval architecture Daruvar Military history of the Kingdom of Croatia Buildings and structures in Bjelovar-Bilogora County {{Croatia-castle-stub