Kastel Fortress, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Kastel Fortress in Banja Luka is medieval but is situated on the site of previous fortifications going all the way back to Roman and even pre-Roman times. The fortress is relatively well-preserved, and is one of Banja Luka's main attractions, situated on the left bank of the Vrbas river in the very center of town.

The site has been fortified since Roman times, but the current walls and architecture were made mainly in 1490s by Ottoman reign.

User Reviews

Nell Nikitina (8 months ago)
Half the place was closed on Sunday, which was upsetting for we came from far away to have a look. The part that is open was partially in ruins and littered. The garbage was everywhere around the entrance, looked like there was some kind of a party of festival the day before and there was nobody to clean the mess. It’s actually best to look at the fortress from the riverside, you can seat at the bank and enjoy. Or just cross the bridge and go to the restaurant

veljaivanovic76 (9 months ago)
Unique symbol of the town. Best place for festive manifestation's and exhibit of the arts

Dorina Leigh (10 months ago)
Such a gorgeous place. I felt so calm & relaxed there. Beautiful old trees, an old fortress. The only thing lacking is some garden with flowers.

Post Indie rock (2 years ago)
I think it has potential, hopefully they finish repairs soon so more of the fort can open up. Overall, a good time in the center of the city with pretty views. Maybe put a guard rail up at some parts of the fort to prevent people from possibly falling.

Lena Alexandra Karalic (3 years ago)
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Monte d'Accoddi

Monte d"Accoddi is a Neolithic archaeological site in northern Sardinia, located in the territory of Sassari. The site consists of a massive raised stone platform thought to have been an altar. It was constructed by the Ozieri culture or earlier, with the oldest parts dated to around 4,000–3,650 BC.

The site was discovered in 1954 in a field owned by the Segni family. No chambers or entrances to the mound have been found, leading to the presumption it was an altar, a temple or a step pyramid. It may have also served an observational function, as its square plan is coordinated with the cardinal points of the compass.

The initial Ozieri structure was abandoned or destroyed around 3000 BC, with traces of fire found in the archeological evidence. Around 2800 BC the remains of the original structure were completely covered with a layered mixture of earth and stone, and large blocks of limestone were then applied to establish a second platform, truncated by a step pyramid (36 m × 29 m, about 10 m in height), accessible by means of a second ramp, 42 m long, built over the older one. This second temple resembles contemporary Mesopotamian ziggurats, and is attributed to the Abealzu-Filigosa culture.

Archeological excavations from the chalcolithic Abealzu-Filigosa layers indicate the Monte d"Accoddi was used for animal sacrifice, with the remains of sheep, cattle, and swine recovered in near equal proportions. It is among the earliest known sacrificial sites in Western Europe.

The site appears to have been abandoned again around 1800 BC, at the onset of the Nuragic age.

The monument was partially reconstructed during the 1980s. It is open to the public and accessible by the old route of SS131 highway, near the hamlet of Ottava. It is 14,9 km from Sassari and 45 km from Alghero. There is no public transportation to the site. The opening times vary throughout the year.

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