About Senj

     Contemporary Senj, the ancient Senia, is the oldest town on the Croatian coast. More than 30 centuries have passed since its establishment. Being the shortest natural connection between the inland and the sea, Senia became a very important Northern Adriatic harbor and trading center.

     At that time, by its surface area and importance, the city was larger then today's Senj, the evidence of which are necropolises, epigraphic monuments and other antiquities.During the people's migration, Senia was devastated. At the beginning of the 7th century the immigrated Slavs built a new settlement upon the old city ruins. In the course of the 12th century Senj regains the former importance. Since 1526 the city had been ruled by Habsburgs. In the 16th century it became the resort for many immigrants, who ran away from the Ottoman danger and became Senj's Uskoks, fighting fiercely against Turks and Mletians for 80 years. In accordance with the Madrid Peace in 1617 Uskoks were moved out, their ships burnt down. In 1779 the Josephine road (Senj-Karlovac) was built. Senj is today the most important communication junction and transit station between Rijeka and Zadar.

     Another name for Senj, it can freely be said, is Nehaj, after the name of the fortress built in 1558 by the Senj's captain Ivan Lenković. He raised it in order to keep more efficiently the city safe from the Turks and Mletians, using ruined churches and cloisters outside the city merged with it, e.g. "Senj's Glagolitic Stone Tablet", dating from the 11th century. The Sabac Tower from the 13th century is a part of the coastal fortifications. The Grand Gate was built in 1779, making the end of the Josephine road (Josephinea Finis). Senj's princes Frankopans built about 1330 the Citadel to strengthen the defense capabilities of Senj, serving as their residence as well.