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Castles of northern Croatia. The story about the mystical history

05.04.2021
History and culture

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Castles of northern Croatia are definitely places worth visiting more than once. The magic you will experience will stay with you forever.

Once upon a time, in a mountaintop kingdom whose towers stood gracefully among the clouds, there was a magnificent castle standing proudly on the ground…

Yeah, the fairytale intro ends here, but the story about the magical and mystical history and castles in Croatia is just starting.

Sitting on top of the hill, Trakoscan is one of the most preserved and visited castles in Croatia (Zagorje region). The castle was built in the 13th century, and despite his fairytale look as grandiose home of some wealthy family, it was originally created as a defense fortification from intruders. According to legend, Trakoscan was named after the Thracian fortress which allegedly existed in ancient times. Another preserved legend says it is named after the knights Drachenstein who, in the early Middle Ages, ruled the region. Lords of the fort in the first centuries are not known, yet we know that the end of the 14th century. Owners Counts of Celje, which the same time ruled with entire Zagorje County.

In the 16th century, the castle was overtaken by Croatian Ban Juraj Draskovic for his personal use. He and his family remained its hereditary owners, with one brief interruption, until the World War II.

Today, owners are unknown, but the castle is a valuable example of an aristocratic residence with well preserved baroque furniture, historical weapons, vivid pictures, beautiful gardens inspired by English architecture that surround the lake, and many more attractions that you simply have to experience by yourself.

Castles of northern Croatia: The Zrinski castle in Čakovec

Built by the Croatian viceroy Nikola Šubić Zrinski, after he took the territory from Hungarian authority in 1546. He wanted to make a safe home, so he decided to build a residential palace with the fortified walls of a medieval fortress in the center of the town of Čakovec, in Međimurje county.

But at that place, there was already a castle from a 13th-century build by Count Dmitri Čak (obviously the town was named after him). However, the fortress was made out of wood.

Nikola Zrinski didn’t knock down the old wooden walls, but instead, he constructed the walls around them, and the original tower still stands to this day. You should visit the Museum of Medimurje inside the castle and dive deep into the exciting history of this region. When you feel like taking the rest or getting a bite to eat, we definitely recommend the Garden Bar & Kitchen situated inside the castle. Take a break and enjoy excellent food and drinks within the old walls. It will make you feel like you traveled back to some long forgotten times when kings and knights were feasting in that same room.

Castles of northern Croatia: Varaždin Castle

As a well preserved baroque center, the city of Varaždin holds its place on this list. In the town’s old center, in the 12th century, a castle had sprung long before the town construction began in the 16th century. This majestic structure has been under uite a series of renovations, but the charm is still there.

The interior style was fairly inspired by the Renaissance, Baroque and a bit of Rococo. Around the castles, there were earthen ramparts and a ditch filled with water for protection.

Towards the end of the century, the fort came under the command of the Erdody family. Inside, there is a Varaždin city museum with medieval weaponry, portraits, and an object from the daily use from noble times, so you can walk through the castle and experience the history all over again.

Castles of northern Croatia: Veliki Tabor Castle

Standing gloriously even today, this medieval/Renaissance castle, built by the noble Rattkay family in the 16th century, seems like some nobleman is waiting for you to welcome you.

There were several owners throughout the history, and one of them was a famous Croatian painter – Oton Ivekovic.

There is a theory that the castle stands on top of an island of what was once the Pannonian Sea.

Many legends about the people who lived in there were told, but we will leave that for some future story, or for you to discover by yourself.

Your CTC Team, V.K.

Ethical Manifest

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At ComeToCroatia.Holiday, we believe that the beauty of Croatia — its hidden beaches, forests, villages, and cliffs — is not a commodity, but a legacy.

That’s why:

We promote responsible travel: respect for nature, people, and local culture.
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