One of few nice May days we decided to dedicate to urbex or urban exploration. If you follow the site, you already know that it is one of our favourite hobbies. This time our destination were castles, the one in Severin na Kupi and the one in Bosiljevo.

This excursion was planned hastily, since the weather has been constantly changing throughout the day. However, we decided to visit these castles, and the first stop was the castle in Severin na Kupi.

The castle in Severin really has a rich and interesting history. It was mentioned for the first time in 1558. The most famous owners were the Frankopans, and several noble families exchanged, leading to the last owners, the Arko family. Since then, the castle has had numerous purposes, of which, interestingly, none is nearly worthy of this space. The castle (I emphasize-the castle) was a catering facility, a hotel and the seat of a local fire department. Do these functions belong to a place where noble families once resided, conclude yourself.

Nowadays, as it usually is in Croatia, the castle is in a bad state. The access to the castle is relatively simple, and walking around the property is very interesting. The interior is more difficult to reach, and in some places even dangerous, due to the ceiling collapsing here and there. Clearly, our curiosity just didn’t leave us alone, so we decided to peek inside. What we saw were not secrets or mysteries, but a bunch of old papers, furniture and, of course, rubbish. It should be noted that for a real urban explorer such things are also extremely interesting, but at the same time we wonder why this castle is so forgotten. In any case it would be more appropriate to place a museum, a gallery or something like this here. Nevertheless, we must be honest and acknowledge that this place even in this state managed to show us how its former owners lived.

The second stop was the castle in Bosiljevo. We wanted to see it once before, but the fence was locked. This time it was opened, so we decided to take a chance to look at it. I have to admit, I was enchanted when I entered. The castle really looks impressive. It’s a beauty that only few see in an abandoned building.

The already mentioned Frankopans owned this castle as well, and later the owners changed, until it was abandoned and ravaged. Since the Second World War, this castle has been falling apart and is the destination of just a few history lovers.

There is really nothing in the castle, just some old furniture and the spirit of old times that you can feel in spite of the devastation. This kind of royal feeling quickly disappears, and then you return to reality and realize that this castle has allies only in restorers, inhabitants of this region and us, the the ones who are truly enchanted by these buildings. For the others, there’s no interest. Why build a museum if no one can make money. Sad but true.

I’m not going into politics. I just want to emphasize the importance of these places, not only for urban explorers, but for all who want to feel history with their own hands. For every urban explorer, as for any other visitor, abandoned buildings tell a story that can teach us a lot and influence us in many ways. Listen a little better, you’ll hear that even these seemingly empty walls and broken roofs have a story for you, a little history lesson that can be very valuable. That is precisely why we must not forget these objects, but strive as much as we can to obtain their true purpose. Perhaps not as glorious as they once were, but at least s more appropriate one for these beautiful witnesses of the past.