THE SITE
The town of Ivanić-Grad is located in the western part of the Moslavina region in Zagreb County, Croatia, near the Croatian capital Zagreb. The area is first mentioned in written sources in the thirteenth century, while the development of the present-day town is closely connected to the construction of the Ivanić fortress during the mid-sixteenth century.
The fortress was established on the site of a former medieval trading centre in response to the increasing pressure of Ottoman incursions during the first half of the sixteenth century. Positioned along the River Lonja, the stronghold formed part of the defensive system protecting the remaining free territories of Croatia. Historical documentation from the late sixteenth century provides insight into the appearance of the early fortification. Architectural drawings prepared by the architect Alexander Pasqualini between 1597 and 1598 depict a wooden fortress of simple square form with projecting corner elements. The structure was reinforced with compacted earth ramparts and surrounded by a water-filled moat supplied by the River Lonja.
In its later development the fortress retained a square ground plan strengthened by bastions at the corners. The complex functioned both as accommodation for the military garrison and as storage space for military equipment. Although detailed documentation about the internal organisation of the fortress remains limited, historical sources indicate that by the second half of the seventeenth century the complex included a wooden chapel dedicated to St. John Capistrano and large imperial barracks. During the period of the Ottoman threat the Ivanić fortress was considered one of the most important defensive strongholds safeguarding the remaining Croatian territories.
Following the decline of the Ottoman threat, the fortress continued to function as a military base within the system of the Military Frontier. Over time, however, the defensive earthworks deteriorated and the stagnant water in the moats became associated with the spread of malaria. Beginning in 1827 the moats were gradually filled in, a process that continued for more than a decade. The former fortress area was subsequently transformed into a landscaped garden and park located next to the present-day primary school. This transformation marked the integration of the former military site into the modern urban structure of Ivanić-Grad.
Archaeological excavations undertaken during European Heritage Volunteers Projects in 2023 and 2024 brought new insights into the history of the site. The investigations yielded numerous artefacts including metal and glass objects, animal bones, and ceramic vessels dating from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries. These findings confirm historical accounts concerning the use of the fortress and its surroundings. Certain discoveries also suggest the presence of settlement activity in the area already during the fifteenth century. Further archaeological research will be required to investigate earlier occupation layers and to better understand the structures that once formed part of the fortress complex.
THE TRAINING COURSE
The European Heritage Training Course in 2026 represents the continuation of a longstanding collaboration between European Heritage Volunteers and the local organisation Friends of Heritage Ivanić-Grad / Prijatelji Baštine – Amici Hereditatis Ivanić-Grad. The course constitutes the third stage of archaeological investigations carried out in previous editions of the project, focusing on the area of the former wooden fortress.
The archaeological excavations conducted in 2023 and 2024 provided the first systematic insights into the material culture associated with the fortress and its surrounding settlement. The upcoming training course will build upon these initial findings and aims to further clarify the stratigraphic layers of settlement in the area of the former fortress and the historical centre of Ivanić-Grad.
The practical activities will begin with an introduction to the historical and archaeological context of the site, including the examination of archival sources and historical cartography relevant to the development of the fortress and the surrounding settlement. The core of the training course will consist of archaeological excavations in the area of the former fortification. Participants will be involved in the careful removal of soil layers, the identification and documentation of stratigraphic units, and the recording of archaeological features and structures uncovered during the excavation process.
In addition to the excavation work, participants will assist in the processing and documentation of archaeological finds recovered during the fieldwork. This includes the cleaning, cataloguing, and preliminary analysis of objects, as well as the recording of both movable and immovable archaeological remains. The project will also introduce participants to contemporary methods of archaeological documentation and digital recording. These methods will include aerial photography, photogrammetric recording of excavation areas and artefacts, and the use of geographic information systems (GIS) to document and analyse spatial data related to the site.
Through these activities participants will gain practical experience in archaeological field methodology, documentation techniques, and the handling and processing of archaeological material. At the same time the training course will provide insight into the material cultural heritage of Ivanić-Grad and the broader historical development of Zagreb County and Croatia during the medieval and early modern periods.
An important dimension of the project concerns the relationship between archaeological research and the local community. The presence of an international group of participants contributes to raising awareness of the cultural heritage of Ivanić-Grad and encourages engagement of local residents, particularly young people, with the archaeological heritage of their town. Public presentations and outreach activities will therefore form part of the programme, enabling the results of the research to be shared with the local community.
The educational programme accompanying the training course will include guided visits and excursions to archaeological sites and museums in the wider region, as well as thematic sessions addressing the archaeological heritage of Croatia and current approaches to archaeological research and heritage interpretation.
An integral element of the educational programme will be the participants’ presentations. Each participant is required to prepare and deliver a presentation related to the thematic focus of the activities on site, introducing a case study from their country of origin. This component connects the practical work undertaken during the programme with comparable heritage practices in different cultural and institutional contexts. Through this structured exchange, participants reflect on conservation approaches, management frameworks, and current challenges, contributing to a broader comparative understanding of heritage preservation. The presentations are intended to encourage critical dialogue, intercultural exchange, and the articulation of informed professional perspectives within an international group of emerging heritage practitioners.
The training course will take place from September 13th to September 26th, 2026, and is jointly organised by Friends of Heritage Ivanić-Grad / Prijatelji Baštine – Amici Hereditatis Ivanić-Grad and European Heritage Volunteers.
