Hrvatska Kostajnica

Hrvatska Kostajnica lies on the Una at the edge of Zrinska gora, and its character is best understood through the river, the Zrinski Old Town fortress and the surrounding sweet-chestnut woods. The settlement appears in historical records in 1240, while its name is associated with chestnut, a tree that still strongly shapes both the local landscape and the autumn calendar. The riverside fortress developed from the medieval period and became linked with the Zrinski family, making the walk from the Una waterfront to Stari grad the quickest introduction to the town’s history. Djed hill above town provides an excursion area and viewpoint, while the Una is used in summer for swimming, fishing and boating. The town becomes especially active during Kestenijada; the 29th edition runs from 9 to 11 October 2026, and HŽ Passenger Transport operates a special Kesten-cug from Zagreb for the event weekend. Rail access, the river landscape and chestnut forests make Hrvatska Kostajnica particularly rewarding when heritage is combined with walking and the seasonal festival.

Hrvatska Kostajnica developed beside the Una where the river valley meets the slopes of Zrinska gora. LAG Una records the town’s first mention in 1240 and links its name with chestnut, a connection still visible in the surrounding woods and in the October Kestenijada festival. The Zrinski Old Town fortress beside the river gives Kostajnica a strong defensive-historic landmark, while Djed hill above the settlement provides a natural counterpart to the built centre. The Una is more than a scenic boundary: in summer it is used for swimming, fishing and boating, giving the town a character that is simultaneously historic, riverside and woodland-based.