Bearing in mind (for construction at that time) the unfavorable configuration of the terrain, Zvečaj was a spacious, irregularly shaped fortress, purposefully integrated into the rocky environment.

[1] Zvečaj was first mentioned on January 15, 1404, as the court of the Grand Duke of Bosnia, Hrvoje Vukčić Hrvatinić, when an alliance was signed with the people of Dubrovnik against King Stjepan Ostoja.

[2][3][4] When Ključ fell in 1463, Zvečaj was occupied by the Ottomans and stationed a crew of 50 janissaries and 30 other soldiers, and appointed Konstantin of Ostrovica, writer of a well-known chronicle, as the commander.

In the Ottoman-Hungarian treaty of 1519, Zvečaj, Banjaluka and Vrbas (Orbasz; Banya Lwka, Zweczay cum castro Verbaz) are also mentioned, which belonged to the king Louis II.

In the battle, the Bosnian Ottoman army won the key victories, although the order arrived from Istanbul that they should not offer any resistance, and Austria-Hungary called on the Christian population not to participate in the defense of Bosnia.

[5] Although they were attacked from several directions, from the North across the Sava and from the East across the Drina, Ali Pasha and the other leaders organized an effective defense, and in a counterattack completely beat the enemy army.