Guilds

Even though Karlovac became famous quite early for its soldiers and merchants as well as politicians and artists, the city’s everyday life depended mainly on the craftsmen. Along with the army came sword makers, spurriers, gunstock makers, strap makers and boot makers, while trade was impossible without boatmen… Craftsmen of various trades were at the service of the citizens whether it was a question of food and clothing or building and home equipment.

Both their business and education took place within craft associations, the so called guilds. The oldest guild of Karlovac was the potters’ guild, while the most numerous artisans towards the end of the 18th century were the boot makers followed by the tailors and shoe-makers. The Great Guild was established towards the end of the 17th century – it unified the work of all of Karlovac’s guilds.