Josipdol is situated in the Ogulin-Plaški valley which together with Lika and Gorski Kotar forms Mountainous Croatia.

[citation needed] Scarce archaeological remains near Oštarije village show that the area was settled in the Neolithic.

On the north the Japods bordered with Celts and random remains of Celtic coins were found in the area.

Because it was on a road that connected the interior with the coast, Modruš became an important traffic and trade center.

This was the golden age for Modruš, which lasted until wars with the Ottomans in the 15th century, when it was raided several times.

[5] The Croatian War of Independence (1991–1995) affected the south-eastern part of the municipality, which led to depopulation of the area.

[5] In the 21st century it was one of the centers where the Zagreb-Split motorway was built and many locals found jobs in constructing it.