Samobor 30 Samobor
Samobor Old Town <strong>The</strong> Old Town was raised at a crossroad in the northwestern corner <strong>of</strong> the Sava River Valley in about 1260. Early rulers were the Babonić family, followed by the Hungaro-Croatian King. In the early 15th century, it came under the Celje knights, and in the early 16th century, into the possession <strong>of</strong> the Frankopan family. It was also owned by the Erdödy and Kulmer families, and its last owner was Montecuccoli. <strong>The</strong> oldest structure <strong>of</strong> the burg is the defensive tower from the 13th century, a slender and well built structure, likely the strongest <strong>of</strong> the entire complex; that includes a palace, tower with chapel, two battery towers, a courtyard, a substructure with a pentagonal bastion and palace called “Ajtić’s house”. Today, due to its position above the main town square, overlooking the houses below like a memento <strong>of</strong> the past, this picturesque ruin <strong>of</strong> a citadel/burg over Samobor contributes to the overall beauty <strong>of</strong> the town. Okić Old Town, Podgrađe Podokićko <strong>The</strong> Old Town has a specific position, at the very top <strong>of</strong> a steep hill. Okić was first mentioned in 1193, and its first known owner was Jaroslav, as mentioned in a document from 1217. In the 14th century, Okić was made up <strong>of</strong> two distinctive burgs and a chapel. Several stages <strong>of</strong> construction and the high quality Romanesque masonry are evident on the walls <strong>of</strong> the burgs. Stone details include windows, staircases and loopholes. Tuščak, Kravljak Situated on the top <strong>of</strong> a long, narrow ridge <strong>of</strong> the eastern slopes <strong>of</strong> Žumberačka gora, near the village <strong>of</strong> Kravljak. In the 12th century, the border between Slavonia (Hungary) and Germany passed along the top <strong>of</strong> Žumberačka gora, and the Tuščak burg was on the German side and in the possession <strong>of</strong> the Spanheim counts. With its position, it served to defend the borders. This is a good example <strong>of</strong> an axial burg, regardless <strong>of</strong> the fact that it consisted <strong>of</strong> only two walled structures. Lipovec, Mali Lipovec Situated at the peak <strong>of</strong> a cone-shaped hill, just west <strong>of</strong> Samobor, near to the Šoić House and the peak <strong>of</strong> Oštrc. Ivan, son <strong>of</strong> Jaroslav <strong>of</strong> Okić received permission to build the Lipovec castrum from King Bela IV in 1251. Later, it was purchased by the Babonić knights, and in 1349 it was taken over by Nikola Seč, and later by Martin Frankopan. It was constructed on the edge <strong>of</strong> a very high cliff, thus making it less accessible to invaders. <strong>The</strong> Lipovec Burg was likely abandoned during the 17th century, as it no longer served a defensive purpose and was not suitable for comfortable living. Samobor 31