Republika Srpska – The Fortress of Knin

Republic Of Serbia Krajina 10,000,000 Dinaris Banknote, Year 1993 – Face and Back
Republic Of Serbia Krajina 10,000,000 Dinaris Banknote, Year 1993, front
1993 Banknote of Republic Of Serbia Krajina, front. The nomination, 10,000,000 dinaris is believed to be the largest prepared.

It is doubtful, but uncertain, that the banknote featured on this post, was ever formally issued.  The huge nomination is similar to that of Yugoslavian banknotes of the same decade, and indicates that the new Republic of Serbia shared in the same woes of hyperinflation.  The number, deset milliard signifies Ten Billion, deset meaning ten, and milliard meaning billion.

table demonstrating yugoslavia nations and their currencies
table of Yugoslav nations and their currencies from Wikipedia

The table above illustrates the place of the short-lived Republic of Serbia during what came to be known as the Yugoslav Wars at the end of the 20th century.  These were considered the deadliest wars in Europe since WWII.

closeup detail of Republic Of Serbia Krajina 10,000,000 Dinaris Banknote, Year 1993, back, featuring fortress of Knin
detail from back of 10,000,000,000 dinari banknote

The ancient fortress of Knin is featured on the reverse of this banknote.  It is the 2nd largest in all of Europe.

Construction on the stronghold began in the 9th century.  In the 11th century it served as the royal residence.

It consists of 5 interconnected towers and towns.  They are named the Donji Grad (Lower Town), Srednji Grad (Middle Town), Gornji Grad (Upper Town) or Kaštel Knin, Kaštel lab or Bandijera, and Južni Grad (South Town) or station Belveder. It is about 1500 feet above sea level and 300 feet above the town of Knin below.  It is 1500 feet long and about 330 feet wide with walls as high as 60 feet in several areas.

Republic Of Serbia Krajina 10,000,000 Dinaris Banknote, Year 1993, back, featuring fortress of knin
10,000,000,000 banknote from Republika Srpska Krijana, back.

For more stories from the Balkan Peninsula in this website, click here.

For more stories from Yugoslavia in this website, click here.

For story tags, see bottom of this page.