Hutovo Fortress

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Hutovo fortress
Hadžibegov Grad (Hajji bey fort)
Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Hadžibegov Grad (Hajji bey fort)
Hutovo fortress is located in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Hutovo fortress
Hutovo fortress
Coordinates42°57′04″N 17°48′11″E / 42.9510122°N 17.8031275°E / 42.9510122; 17.8031275
TypeCastle, fortification)
Site information
OwnerRizvanbegović noble family
Controlled by
ConditionRuined
(National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Site history
Builtearliest record June 28, 1525
In use1525-1878
MaterialsLimestone
Demolishedtorched 1875-1878
Battles/wars1875-1878 uprising
Garrison information
Past
commanders
Hajji Mehmed bey Rizvanbegović
This site is protected and listed as a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Government of BiH and its KONS[1]

Hutovo fortress or Hadžibegov Grad (the Hajji bey fort),[1] also Hutovski Grad, is a fortress in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the municipality of Neum near the village of Hutovo.[2][3]

Location and Name[edit]

Hutovo fortress tower

The fortress is located along a narrow road leading from Hutovo Blato to Neum, below Žaba mountain and southwest of Hutovo.[4] Strategically situated atop a hill overlooking the Prešjeci pass, it was often traversed by salt caravans from Ston traveling inland. The name Hadžibegov Grad is derived from the last lord's name, Hadžibeg Rizvanbegović.[2][1]

Description[edit]

The structure forms an irregular pentagon.[1] There is a total of nine towers, each in a corner of the fortress. Solid and high walls enclose an area of flat land.[2] The fortification runs east to west 70 m. The eastern portion of the fortress is roughly 50 m in width, while the western portion is 30 m in width. Its walls were constructed in such a way that soldiers armed with firearms could defend every angle of the fortress.[1]

History[edit]

A massive circular building, which was later encircled with walls, existed in 1714 as a tower in Captaincy of Stolac. A retinue of 7-8 guards guarded the pass and collected taxes. Between 1795-1802, Hajj-Mehmed-Beg commanded the fort, and was entitled to a cut of the taxes paid by Nevesinje. He turned the building into a proper fortification before 1802. There are two stone tablets placed at the fort (8 in total in the town).

Hajji-Mehmed-Beg-Rizvanbegović, was a son of captain Zulfikar-bey Rizvanbegović. In XVIII century Rizvanbegović tribe took the captainy over from the Šarić family.

When the Herzegovinian uprising of 1875 began, the Ottoman army conquered the Hutovo fortress. In one of the assaults by the rebels, under the leadership of Ivan Musić, the city itself was set on fire and every wooden construction was no more. The fort itself was abandoned during the Herzegovinian uprising of 1875-1878.

Fortress' walls

Contemporary usage[edit]

The society of Friends of the Old Hutovo use town historical settings for local celebrations.[2]

Protection[edit]

Revitalization of the fort was started in 1969 by the National museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina.[5]

On May 10, 2004, the Commission to Preserve National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina designated it a National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina.[1] Three slabs bearing inscriptions found at the fortress are on display in Country House museum's lapidary in Hutovo.[1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "The historic site of the Hutovo fort (Hadžibegov grad – the Hajji bey fort) in Hutovo". old.kons.gov.ba (in Serbo-Croatian and English). Commission to preserve national monuments. 5 May 2004. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d Priča o hutovskom gradu Čapljinski portal/hum.ba, Nedjelja, 06 Siječanj 2013
  3. ^ Povijest poznavanja Dinarskog krša na primjeru Popova polja Ivo Lučić, disertacija, Nova Gorica: Sveučilište u Novoj Gorici, 2009.
  4. ^ Povijest poznavanja Dinarskog krša na primjeru Popova polja Ivo Lučić, disertacija, Nova Gorica: Sveučilište u Novoj Gorici, 2009., str. 200
  5. ^ Povijest poznavanja Dinarskog krša na primjeru Popova polja Ivo Lučić, disertacija, Nova Gorica: Sveučilište u Novoj Gorici, 2009., str. 180