Golubac Fortress is located on an opportune spot on the Danube on the Iron Gate Gorge. During the middle ages and probably later, they had an iron chain attached across the river to collect taxes to pass through. It represented the last line of defense between Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, which explains why various conquerors worked tirelessly to make Golubac nearly impenetrable. Near the town of Golubac, the Danube becomes quite wide, offering excellent visibility from the fortress. Its position allowed easy control over all the roads and waterways connecting the East and the West, while the steep, inaccessible cliffs of Ridan on which the fortress was built, along with the Danube River, provided natural protection. The fortress has a tumultous history with over 120 or so attacks but the Ottomans conquered them eventually.
13 comments posted
Shirley Bormann
I should have stated that the fortress is in Serbia. Posted: 04/12/2025 19:46:47
Esther Steffens
This image caught my eye immediately! I LOVE the highlighted part of the photo and the right but would like to see something on the left. However, I am assuming that you intended to leave that part of the scene, without definition. Again, the lighted part of the fortress is wonderful and I keep going back to it. Thank you for the history lesson! Posted: 04/14/2025 22:40:56
Shirley Bormann
Thank you, Esther. I wanted to keep tke dark water on the left just to keep it in place and to me just including the highlighted area would not have felt right. Posted: 04/21/2025 20:00:53
Shirley Bormann
Esthera,apparently your conclusions were correct. A number of people concurred with that suggestion. Thank you. Posted: 04/24/2025 16:51:35
Judy Burr
Wow, a beautiful image, Shirley. Also, thanks for the history lesson. That area has a very complex history. I love the light on the water leading us right to the fortress. Did you take this from a boat or did yuo make a land stop in the area? Well done! Posted: 04/21/2025 15:23:23
Shirley Bormann
We made a stop off our boat at night for a tour. We had toured another fortress during the day and I was afraid this would not be lit as well so we did not take the inside tour unfortunately. I heard it was good but we got good pics of the outside without tourists. Posted: 04/21/2025 19:58:12
Rich Krebs
A well lit fortress that shows the detail of the area. Posted: 04/23/2025 09:37:15
N. Sukumar
Impressive castle, with good detail. I wouldn't have guessed this was on a river; looks like a lake from the view. I'm bothered by all the dark space in the left third of the image; I think a cropped images still shows enough context and perspective. Posted: 04/23/2025 13:02:10
David Stout
A fascinating submission, I too prefer Sukumar`s crop but I also trimmed the other side slightly to remove the bright lights on the edge of the frame. Your information to the history of this fortress is much appreciated. Posted: 04/24/2025 05:14:02
Shirley Bormann
Thanks, Sukumar. You must be right; more than one said that. Posted: 04/24/2025 16:52:20
Shirley Bormann
Alright, guess it's a majority of thought. I like your crop too. Posted: 04/24/2025 16:53:58
Michael Smith
A very well night shot of the fortress. I do like David's crop as all the dark on the left doesn't add to the composition. I've been on the Danube but only the northern part. The history really adds to the photograph. Very sharp and detailed! Nicely done. Posted: 04/24/2025 13:17:08
