Since the middle of the 13th until the end of the 16th century, numerous defensive structures were erected on the territory of the Kingdom of Slavonia (by the roads, on mountain slopes and ridges, near river crossings). Among the most active builders were members of the clergy of the Bishopric of Zagreb (the Bishop of Zagreb, the chapter of Zagreb, the chapter of Čazma, the chapter of Vaškan), Catholic monastic orders (Benedictines, Paulines) and Catholic military orders (Templars, Hospitalers, Sepulchrales), who erected a number of burghs, fortified settlements, convents and churches, as well as many renaissance castles and fortresses, in order to protect their own vast domains. This article intends not just to elaborate the historical and archeological topography of these defensive structures, but also to show their peculiarities when compared to other types of fortifications of the age. Therefore, all sorts of defensive structures, their time of origin and spatial disposition are presented, with special emphasis on their significance in the shaping and development of Croatian and Central European cultural heritage. Although historical sources mention far more „God’s fortresses“, this paper deals with 37 such edifices, including both those wholly or partially preserved as well as those whose appearance could be reconstructed with the help of old drawings or photographs.
