Sisak: History, the Kupa and Hotels

When travelling to Sisak, you can tailor your stay to different interests: military history, Roman archaeological sites, a sculpture park, and activities on or along the Kupa each offer a different focus. The historic sites and activities described here provide concrete ideas for your visit.

Fortress, Rivers and Roman Traces

A notable historic landmark is Stari grad, a defensive fortress dating from the 16th century. It stands at the confluence of the Kupa and Sava rivers and is associated with the Battle of Sisak in 1593. Here, the river landscape and the city’s history come together. Stari grad is closed to visitors because of damage caused by the earthquake on 29 December 2020. As its restoration status may change, check whether visits are possible before travelling.

The archaeological park Siscia in situ offers a glimpse into a different period, preserving Roman remains. These include a southwestern defensive wall with a tower from the late 2nd or early 3rd century, as well as the remains of a horreum, a grain storehouse from the early 4th century. The two dates help distinguish the finds chronologically: the wall and tower belong to an earlier period than the storehouse. Visitors interested in the Roman past will therefore find more here than a single building period.

Another cultural landmark is the sculpture park in Caprag, a district of Sisak. It was established by the Željezara Sisak artists’ colony and is listed in Croatia’s Register of Cultural Goods. Its connection with an artists’ colony at Željezara gives the park a distinct link to the industrial heritage. Together with the fortress and Roman remains, it shows the variety of historical and cultural themes in Sisak.

On Foot, by Bike and on the Kupa

There are adaptable routes of at least five kilometres for walks and hikes. A cycling route of around 30 kilometres focuses on industrial heritage and other cultural and historic sites. The options differ both in mode of transport and in length, so when planning your trip you can weigh up whether to include a walking route or the longer cycling tour focused on cultural history.

The Kupa adds a distinct water-based focus. Activities on the river include kayaking, canoeing and traditional boats. Organised canoe trips with breaks and local culinary experiences are also available. These options differ from the walking and cycling routes not only in their mode of transport, but also in their connection to the water. When planning your days, you can treat river activities as a separate part of your trip alongside the historical attractions.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

This gives you two clearly distinct areas to focus on when planning your trip: the historical periods reflected in the fortress, Roman remains and sculpture park, and activities on foot, by bike or on the Kupa. If you’re looking for hotels in Sisak, first consider which of these areas is most important to your stay. Then check the specific details of each hotel offer when making your choice.

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