Clan Rising
Frankopan Castle today

Croatia · Still standing

Frankopan Castle

Frankopan Castle (Frankopanski Kaštel) is a medieval castle on the Kamplin plateau in the town of Krk on the island of Krk, Croatia. Built and modified across centuries by the Frankopan family, the complex comprises multiple towers and curtain walls enclosing an inner ward and soldier accommodation.

Recreate this castle →Defend this castle →

Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1191

Its prime

1348

Today

Still standing

As it stood in 1348

What Frankopan Castle looked like in its prime.

A compact coastal stone fortress of pale, roughly coursed limestone ashlar with a mix of square and cylindrical towers connected by stout curtain walls. The northern corner is marked by a tall cylindrical tower with a sloping (battered) lower section, corbel stones beneath the parapet and a lunette relief set into the wall; a square tower stands on the east side facing the sea. Walls show small slit openings, low doorways into the ward and a paved open inner courtyard.

Its story

The story of Frankopan Castle.

Frankopan Castle on the Kamplin plateau was raised by the Croatian noble family of Frankopan across several centuries and generations. The inscription on the lunette over the entrance records that the building was raised in 1191, in the time of Bishop John and the counts Vid I and Bartol I, sons of Dujam I Krčki, first Count of Krk, with the help of the entire municipality.

After Dujam's death his sons continued to dominate the island and the town of Krk, one of the oldest towns in the Adriatic. The complex grew into multiple towers and curtain walls enclosing an inner ward and accommodation for soldiers, and it stands intact on the town's southwest coast.

Step inside

8 places to explore in 1348.

The record describes 8 distinct spots at Frankopan Castle, including 3 interiors: round tower ground floor (door openings), frankopan courtroom (square tower), inner courtyard / soldiers' space. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from Kamplin squareNorthern cylindrical tower exteriorRound tower ground floor (door openings)Frankopan courtroom (square tower)Eastern sea-facing square towerWestern sentry box (exterior lookout)Inner courtyard / soldiers' spaceWall-walk and parapet

Build Your Own Castle

Recreate Frankopan Castle with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1348, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

Recreate this castle →Defend this castle →

Whose castle

Clans who held Frankopan Castle.

The families that held Frankopan Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Frankopan

    Raised and held by the Frankopan counts of Krk through several generations from 1191.

From the archive

Frankopan Castle on paper: the measured plan and period views.

The survey plan and photographs below are the ground truth this page's reconstructions are checked against, drawn and photographed while the castle was still a working garrison. Every image is public-domain or openly licensed, with its source named.

Kraljevica - Frankopan Castle, Frankopan Castle

Kraljevica - Frankopan Castle

1914 · https://uri.hr/indigo/org:muo (via Europeana)

CC BY-SA

Kraljevica - Frankopan Castle, Frankopan Castle

Kraljevica - Frankopan Castle

1910 · https://uri.hr/indigo/org:muo (via Europeana)

CC BY-SA

Kraljevica - Frankopan Castle, Frankopan Castle

Kraljevica - Frankopan Castle

1905 · https://uri.hr/indigo/org:muo (via Europeana)

CC BY-SA

Questions about Frankopan Castle

What is the history of Frankopan Castle?

Frankopan Castle was raised in the 12th century by the Croatian noble family of Frankopan. The inscription over the entrance dates its construction to 1191, during the time of Bishop John and Counts Vid I and Bartol I, sons of Dujam I Krčki. The complex expanded through several generations, with towers, curtain walls, an inner ward and soldiers’ accommodation completed before 1348.

What is inside Frankopan Castle?

Frankopan Castle contains a round tower ground floor with two door openings, the Frankopan courtroom in the square tower, and an inner courtyard that served as soldiers’ space. The courtyard is paved and enclosed by the castle walls. The documented spaces include both defensive areas and accommodation within the ward.

Who owns Frankopan Castle now?

Frankopan Castle is owned by the House of Frankopan. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Krk operates it. It also has heritage designation in the Register of Cultural Goods of Croatia.

Why was Frankopan Castle built, and what was it used for?

Frankopan Castle was built as a fortified complex for the Frankopan counts of Krk and their control of the island and town. Its towers and curtain walls enclosed an inner ward and space for soldiers. The complex therefore served a defensive purpose, while the square tower also contained the Frankopan courtroom.

Where is Frankopan Castle?

Frankopan Castle is on the Kamplin plateau in the town of Krk, on the island of Krk. It stands on the town’s southwest coast, with its eastern square tower overlooking the sea. Krk is described as an ancient town and one of the oldest towns in the Adriatic.

When was Frankopan Castle built?

Frankopan Castle was first raised in 1191, placing its construction in the 12th century. The complex developed across several centuries and generations rather than being completed at once. The entire complex was completed before 1348.

Which family or clan held Frankopan Castle?

Frankopan Castle was raised and held by the Frankopan counts of Krk through several generations from 1191. The family continued to dominate the island and the town of Krk after the death of Dujam I Krčki, the first Count of Krk.

What did Frankopan Castle look like in its prime?

Frankopan Castle was a compact coastal stone fortress of pale, roughly coursed limestone ashlar. It had square and cylindrical towers joined by stout curtain walls, with small slit openings and a paved inner courtyard. A tall northern cylindrical tower had a battered lower section, corbel stones beneath the parapet and a lunette relief, while a square tower faced the sea.

Is Frankopan Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Frankopan Castle is still standing intact rather than being a ruin. Its complex of multiple towers and curtain walls survives on the town’s southwest coast. The northern round tower was restored around 1480 and again around 1600, while the square tower is identified as the oldest part of the fortification.

More castles of Croatia

Samobor Castle, CroatiaSamobor CastleZrin Castle, CroatiaZrin CastlePazin Castle, CroatiaPazin Castle
All castles of Croatia · Castles of Europe · the best castles in Europe · explore the finished reconstructions.