The oldest city on the upper Adriatic, located in the Lika-Senj County, was founded in pre-Roman times some 3,000 years ago on Kuk Hill. The current settlement is located at the foot of the slopes of Kapela and Velebit.
The symbol of the city, the Nehaj Fortress, also known as the “Nehaj Tower”, is located on the Trbušnjak hill, often also called Nehaj.
The area of the city includes a 76 km long sea coast, and is located between the sea, the slopes of Kapela and Velebit, the largest mountain in Croatia.
Its position on the eastern coast of the Adriatic sea connects it with the cities and countries of the Mediterranean.
It is connected by road connections to the hinterland via the Vratnik mountain pass (700 m above sea level), to the west with the Vinodol Valley, Rijeka and its hinterland, and to the south with Zadar, Split and Dalmatia.
As for history, this wonderful city does not lack it either.
A Glagolitic printing house was founded in Senj in 1494. At that time, it was the center of Glagolitic literacy and culture. Numerous Croatian writers and cultural workers were born in it, and with their work and works, Senj has created one of the most important focal points of Croatian culture, which stands alongside Dubrovnik in its importance.
In 1558, general Ivan Lenković built the massive fortress Nehaj, which dominates the landscape and from which a green grove and a Greek well can be seen to the southeast above the city. It is the so-called Abatovo. It is assumed that in the 12th century, the monastery of St. George, the patron saint of Senj, was located there.
As the starting point of the Jozefinska road, Senj was the largest Croatian port until the construction of the railway to Rijeka in 1873.
The castle with a cylindrical and four-cornered tower, the former seat of the Frankopan and Senj captains, is located on the square Cilnica – Velika placa.
Every year during the carnival in Senj, there are balls, i.e. costumed and masked dances that last every year from the first Saturday after the New Year until February.
At that time, every Saturday evening, balls last until the morning hours, while every Sunday in the afternoon, the Reduta continues. The reduta version of balls is intended only for children.
In addition to the bura, numerous cultural sights, beautiful nature and long history, Senj is also known for the Senj Summer Carnival, the oldest and largest event of its kind in the Republic of Croatia.
Carnival events last four days during August. They culminate in a large carnival parade in which several thousand masquerades from Croatia and abroad participate.
The biggest contribution is made by the masqueraders from Senj, who have been preparing for the big parade for months. Many masquerades led by the carnival master, many allegorical floats, colors, music and laughter are what distinguish this summer carnival from others.
