Karlovac

Situated in a very special location at the confluence of four rivers (Kupa, Korana, Mreznica and Dobra), the town of Karlovac does not appear on Croatia’s main tourist itineraries but deserves to be re-evaluated.

Its beautiful old town, known as Zvijezda, has the unusual shape of a six-pointed star, which divides it into 24 almost perfectly rectangular blocks.

Founded as a military stronghold against the Turks, the town has not retained its original fortifications, of which only the moats can be seen today, but has retained an old-world charm and a row of elegant Baroque palaces.

In recent years, an increasing number of visitors come to Karlovac to participate in its most important event: every year between late August and September, the largest beer festival in Croatia is held here.

The festival lasts for ten days and is attended by more than a hundred thousand visitors. You could join them and take the opportunity to visit one of the Croatian towns still untouched by mass tourism.

Things to do in Karlovac

Dubovac Castle

The oldest monument in Karlovac is the medieval Dubovac Castle, which owes its name to the ancient oak forest (dub) that surrounded it.

Perched atop a hill above the Kupa River, the fortress dominates the town from above and is the perfect place to enjoy a beautiful panoramic view. It can be reached on foot by walking for about half an hour along the river and then uphill.

Aquatika

The word ‘aquarium’ usually conjures up images of colourful fish, sharks and lots of little ‘Nemos’. Quite different, but certainly fascinating, is what awaits you at Aquatika – Freshwater Aquarium Karlovac, a museum created to attract visitors to the town and to introduce them to the wealth of Croatian ichthyofauna.

With its very special location at the confluence of four rivers, the town of Karlovac is the ideal venue for this ecological museum where you can admire 100 fish species, 40 of which are endemic, with a total of around 5000 living specimens.

Other attractions

• For a journey into the city’s past, visit the Karlovac City Museum, which exhibits historical artefacts and local handicrafts, but even more interesting for visitors are the models of the city in different eras.
• The Vjekoslav Karas Gallery is a museum of contemporary art founded in 1975, with a permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions.
• If you have time, pay a visit to the Turanj district on the southern outskirts of the city, which for the inhabitants of the city represents a symbol of rebirth after the destruction of the civil war in the former Yugoslavia. On the site of an Austrian barracks, the remains of buildings damaged during the conflict are on display.

How to get to Karlovac

Karlovac is located on the main road between Rijeka and Zagreb and is therefore easily accessible by car. It is also well connected by train and bus to other Croatian towns.