The largest prehistoric building in Croatia presented in Slanj

The largest prehistoric settlement in Croatia, known as Slanje-Stari Gradec, was officially presented to the public today in Slanje, Varaždin County. Covering approximately 12.5 hectares, this site has been confirmed through archaeological research to hold exceptional historical value and to be connected with other significant sites in Martijanc and Jalžabet. The discovery has sparked interest among local officials and experts, highlighting its importance in understanding the Iron Age landscape of the region. The site, located on the northern slopes of the Kalnik River, was visited by several key figures including Varaždin County Governor Anđelko Stričak, Minister of Justice, Administration, and Digital Transformation Damir Habijan, and senior researcher Dr. sc. Saša Kovačević from the Institute of Archaeology in Zagreb. Kovačević emphasized the scale of the find, noting that the site features walls up to 14 meters high and spans an area comparable to the largest medieval fortress in Croatia, Knin Castle. He described the findings as surprising both in size and in their impact on the archaeological community. Habijan expressed optimism regarding the potential of the site, particularly in terms of developing continental tourism. He noted that the location includes a necropolis beneath tumuli from the early Iron Age, and highlighted the holistic approach taken by the Institute in planning both research and future protection and presentation of the site. “We have already moved away from the hill in Jalžabet, while in Martijanc there is another large settlement of 40 hectares with a beautiful necropolis under tumuli,” Kovačević added, indicating further discoveries yet to come. Habijan remarked that the scale of the Slanje-Stari Gradec site exceeded his expectations. He stressed the significance of the site not just for archaeology but also for the potential development of continental tourism, emphasizing the efforts of Varaždin County in this regard. He pointed out that ongoing research will reveal more about the significance of the locality, urging continued support from the Ministry and government. Stričak noted that collaboration between Varaždin County and the Institute of Archaeology has been ongoing since 2016, following the excavation of the tomb of rulers of the eastern Illyrian culture in Jalžabet. This led to subsequent excavations in Martijanc and Slanje. He also mentioned the preparation of documentation for the restoration of the tomb and the construction of an interpretation center. “We eagerly await further archaeological finds to understand how people lived in this area during the fifth, sixth, and seventh centuries before the Common Era,” he stated. Additionally, Stričak highlighted that Varaždin County established the Center for Cultural Heritage Management (CUKUR) a few years ago to systematically explore and present archaeological sites to the public. This initiative aims to stimulate local development, especially in the context of tourism. The county continues to invest in these projects, recognizing their cultural and economic benefits.