SIGHTS
Fortress in Predel



About one kilometre before the border crossing of Predel the ruins of an Austrian fortress are still visible. At the beginning of 19th century here stood a wooden fortification. On May 15th, 1809 bitter fighting took place between Napoleon troops and Austrian defenders. The Austrian contingent of defenders was made up of the border guards of Slunj, commanded by captain Johann Hermann von Hermannsdorf. The defenders, despite of being outnumbered, valiantly repelled all the attacks and did not respond to the call for surrender. On May 18th, the assailants succeeded in setting fire to the fortress and in the breakthrough perished the majority of the contingent including its commander. Emperor Ferdinand I. had a magnificent monument erected in memory of the brave defenders. It was uncovered in 1851. The monument is about 6 metres high supporting stone wall, on which leans a masoned pyramid with an engraved inscription. Cast-iron sculpture of a wounded lion and neatly fenced area further emphasize the grandeur of the monument. The fortress was renovated in 1848 and its ruins can be seen on both sides of the highway.

• the ruins of an austrian fortress can be seen about 1 km before the border pass Predel;
• at this place a fierce battle took place in 1809 between the Napoleon troups and austrian defenders of the then wooden fortress;
• the fortress was rebuilt in 1848 and beside the ruins we can also see a magnificent monument;
• the monument was unveiled in 1851; the statue of a wounded lion in cast iron placed bahind a fence bring forward its majesty;