| Nehaj Fortress | |
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Fortress Nehaj
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| Location: | Senj, in Lika-Senj County Croatia |
| Coordinates: | |
| Governing body: | Uskoci |
| Cultural Good of Croatia | |
| Official name: Nehaj Castle | |
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Location of Nehaj Fortress in Croatia
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The Nehaj Fortress [nɛxaj] (Croatian: Tvrđava Nehaj [tʋr̩dʑaʋa nɛxaj]) is a fortress on the hill Nehaj in the town of Senj, Croatia.
The name Nehaj comes from the Croatian term Ne hajati [nɛ xajati], which means Don't care. In the Croatian language this fortress has also other names, which are: Kula Nehaj [kula nɛxaj], what means Nehaj Tower, and Nehajgrad [nɛxajɡrad], what means Nehajtown.
This name was given to the hill and the Fortress by the Uskoks, who built on the top of this hill the Fortress for defensive purposes. They gave the hill and the Fortress such a name because they wanted to emphasize to the citizens of the town of Senj, and all of those that lived in the vicinity of the town of Senj that they should not care that someone will conquer this hill or the Fortress until they are there.
It was built by Croatian army general Ivan Lenković, a captain of the Uskoks, on the hill Nehaj.[1][2] Finished in 1558, it was built on the remains of ruined churches, monasteries and houses which were situated outside of the walls of the town.[1] Today, it serves as a museum.[1]
The fortress is 18 metres tall and 23 metres wide, and square shaped with walls averaging from 2 to 3 metres in thickness. There are five towers situated on top of the Fortress, and eleven large cannon openings along the walls. Inside the Fortress, there are displays of cannons and other household items, as well as a collection of costumes and weapons of the Uskoks of Senj.
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