Kastav

Where History Meets Offerings

Small, historical, and picturesque, the Old Town of Kastav is perched atop a hill (356 m above sea level, next to the church), in an idyllic location with breathtaking views of the Kvarner Bay and islands. Its excellent strategic position provided former inhabitants with an advantage, as evidenced by a strong fortress guarding the hill even a thousand years before Christ.

In the Middle Ages, a powerful city was built on its foundations, its core encircled by a wall with nine towers. Much of this historical architectural heritage has been preserved, forming a unique tourist attraction. Throughout its millennia-long history, numerous cultures have left their mark, from the Japods to the Romans, Ostrogoths, Greeks, and Lombards, all the way to the Slavs who arrived in the 7th century, eventually founding a city on the slopes. The Kastav Statute from 1400 is a key medieval legal document in Croatia.

Kastav is unique in that it retained its city status practically throughout history, up to the present day. Today, the city of Kastav is home to 10,000 residents and spans 11 km². It is renowned as a cultural hub, hosting significant cultural events in the summer, offering a rich gastronomic scene, and serving as the starting point for Hike and Bike tours beginning in the old town at the edge of the Loza forest.