Since Samobor is so close to Zagreb, visiting the Old Town ruins was naturally one of the first steps in my Croatia Captured project. It’s a place I’ve returned to a few times over the years, but photographing it with a fresh perspective made this visit on October 22nd, 2023, feel a little different.
The photo shows the remains of the Old Town Samobor, with its rough stone walls and tower ruins lit by early morning sun. Framed by the early signs of autumn, the colors add warmth to the scene, contrasting against the historic stone structure. The path leading up to the entrance gives a feeling of slow discovery — the kind of spot that invites you to take your time.
Photographing familiar places is always a small personal challenge. It’s easy to think you’ve seen everything, but when you slow down and really look, new compositions start to reveal themselves. I tried to approach Samobor Old Town as if it was the first time, focusing more on how the light interacted with the ruins and the surrounding nature.
The Old Town of Samobor was built in the 13th century, primarily as a defensive fortress. Over the centuries, it changed hands between noble families and was gradually abandoned by the end of the 18th century. Today, the ruins are a popular hiking destination and a well-loved local landmark. Despite its condition, it still holds the outline of what once was a strategically important stronghold.
Find more photos and stories from my travels around Croatia on croatiacaptured.com.
