I must admit I had just learned that a place like Ostrozac Castle in Bosnia and Herzegovina existed the day I visited it. Together with friends, we were road-tripping in the Balkans, and after visiting Bihac and Una National Park and before crossing the border to Croatia to explore Zeljava Air Base, there was one more interesting place nearby with only a slight detour, and that was Ostrozac Castle.

The moment I saw the impressive structure, I knew right away it was the right decision to visit Ostrozac. It quickly secured a solid spot on my list of favorite places to visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

If you are traveling in the region, you should come here too. I’m sure Ostrozac will be an excellent addition to your Bosnia itinerary as well!

Where is Ostrozac Castle

Ostrozac Castle is located in the village of Ostrozac, in the northwest corner of Bosnia and Herzegovina, very close to the border with Croatia. The closest city is Bihac, only 15 km away. Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is 320 km south of Ostrozac, while Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is 150 km north.

A brief history of Ostrozac Castle

It is believed the first stronghold was located in this very place already in the 5th century, but official sources mention Ostrozac Castle only in 1286. Like similar castles in the area, over the centuries, the structure expanded to protect the region from the Turkish invasion.

Eventually, after two failed attempts in the first half of the 16th century, Ostrozac Castle was conquered in 1579 and became the seat of the Ottomans. They also rebuilt the castle area to an impressive size that lasted until this day: 185 meters long, with a width that varies from 30 to 80 meters. The length of the walls is 625 meters.

At the end of the 19th century, Ostrozac Castle was sold to Lothar von Berks, the mayor of Bihac, who added to the premises a neogothic palace that in 1902 became the ancestral seat of the von Berks family. They could enjoy the place only until after World War 2 when the castle was nationalized and became the property of Yugoslavia in 1946.

Today the castle premises are well-kept (after all, it is officially the National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina), but the palace is in a relatively poor condition after the damage of the 1990s Balkan War.

Visiting Ostrozac Castle

Ostrozac Castle is open for visitors every day from 9 am to 9 pm, at least according to the info in the castle and online. When I visited the place in September 2021, the entrance fee was 4 BAM. You are free to explore the site and wander everywhere as no one looks after the visitors once you get your ticket. However, be careful when walking around as some parts of the castle might be slightly dangerous to visit.

Once you enter the premises, you will see numerous sculptures scattered around (some sources say there are over 150 of them here). They are an integral part of Ostrozac Castle, a remnant of the annual “Colony of Sculptors Ostrožac” event and a reminder that during the Yugoslavia times, the place has been used as an art colony since 1969. If you like 20th-century art (I do), you will appreciate this excellent addition to the place.

The highlight of Ostrozac Castle is the neogothic palace that you can enter at your own risk. It’s no secret I’m a massive fan of Urbex and exploring abandoned places. This one was a pure joy for me, a bit similar to the Bay of Abandoned Hotels in Kupari, Croatia.

Some parts of the palace are in very poor condition, not only abandoned but also destroyed by the war. But when you look closer, you can spot the remnants of the former glory, such as beautiful portals and decorated balustrades. Still, you need to pay extra attention when wandering around as it didn’t always look and feel very safe for me.

You can also wander along the impressive walls, but again, you need to pay extra attention when you do that, as there is no safety barrier there. But the view from this part of Ostrozac Castle is pretty beautiful and definitely worth the adrenaline rush you might get. Not only can you get the best vista of the castle premises and especially the abandoned palace, but you will also see a wonderful panorama of the surrounding mountains.

Altogether, you need more or less one hour to visit Ostrozac Castle, depending on how much of the abandoned space you decide to explore. Too bad there is no cafe on the castle premises, preferably with a view of the surrounding nature, I would have spent so much more time there!

Where to go next

You can combine visiting Ostrozac with other exciting attractions in the area.

There is Una National Park, with some incredible nature, especially impressive waterfalls; Bihac, a surprisingly pleasant city (and a perfect base to explore the region); or another ruin of the castle – Sokolac.

You can also hop across the border to Croatia to visit the abandoned Zeljava Air Base (partially hidden inside the mountain) or go a bit further to the famous Plitvice Lakes National Park. This part of the Balkans is packed with attractions that are still not so widely popular (besides Plitvice Lakes, of course).

Final thoughts on visting Ostrozac Castle

While I loved Ostrozac Castle, I was also a bit sad when visiting the place. It is a truly impressive site, with huge potential and a bit of an edgy twist, unusual than most castles you can see, yet there were no other tourists around.

As much as I enjoy exploring abandoned places, this one was slightly different than others (which makes it even more exciting); I was concerned about safety a few times. With some investment and proper renovation, Ostrozac Castle can be one of the highlights of Bosnia and Herzegovina that would attract more tourists.

But right now, it is a great alternative site that everyone who seeks more than just the popular attractions will surely appreciate.

Further reading

I published many articles about Bosnia and Herzegovina that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 17 best places to visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• 37 Best Things to Do in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Bihac, Bosnia and Herzegovina – the Getaway to Una NP
• 25 Amazing Things to Do in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Visit Travnik – the Heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• What to See in Jajce, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Visegrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina – See the Iconic Bridge on the Drina
• and more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in the Balkans and ask your questions there.

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For the end I left a few announcements that might interest you:

• Sign up to my newsletter or follow me on Bloglovin to get updates about the new posts
• Join my Facebook group about Eastern Europe, the Balkans and former USSR and connect with fellow travellers and enthusiasts of these regions – just click here!
• I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Thank you!

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