Castles of Zagorje: Medieval Fairy Tale Landscapes

Castles of Zagorje

MIDDLE AGES

Discover the Fairy Tale Charm of Veliki Tabor Castle

Veliki Tabor Castle, Desinić

When you approach Veliki Tabor Castle, for a moment you might feel you are in a fairy tale or at least a cartoon. The round towers and red roofs of one of the best-preserved medieval and renaissance fortified towns in continental Croatia, are everything you imagine a castle must be. And when you hear the legend hidden behind its walls, the fairy tale becomes even more real.

Frederick, the son of the eminent Count of Celje, fell madly in love with Veronica who was a commoner. His father opposed the young lovers and did everything to separate them, and eventually he had Veronica executed. A sad fairy tale.

Thematic tours of the castle can be arranged, with emphasis on history, architecture and legends.

Exhibitions are often held in the castle and it hosts the Tabor Film Festival as well.

Oršić Castle, Gornja Stubica

How did nobles live in the middle ages? How did peasants live? How did they spend their days and what ultimately prompted the peasants to rebel against their oppressed position?

A unique insight into this exciting part of Croatian history is hidden in Oršić Castle in Gornja Stubica, which also houses the Museum of Peasants' Revolts. Not far from it is the famous Gupčeva lipa (Gubec linden tree), the only surviving witness to the historic revolt.

The castle is well preserved, and the museum exhibits several collections: cultural, historical, artistic,

ethnographic, archaeological, Zagorje souvenir collection, collections of postcards and photographs, collections of weapons and equipment, Victoria Oršić collection and archaeological findings from the old town of Konjščina are stored here as well.

Every year, history is revived by a costumed battle at the castle, which is an ideal opportunity to visit!

Trakoščan, Bednja

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful, and probably the most beautiful Croatian castle is located on a hill, surrounded by a fairytale forest and a lake. Excellently preserved, not only as an object but also as a witness to the time and life of its owners throughout history.

The fortress from which the castle that we know today as Trakošćan was built dates back to the 13th century, and it was mentioned under that name as early as the 14th century. During the turbulent history, it was enlarged and the owners changed, but most of the history it was owned by Counts Drašković, who gave it today's recognizable appearance and stamp.

In the middle of the 19th century, count Juraj V. Drašković restored the town into a residential castle, and turned the environment into a romantic park. The next generations occasionally lived in Trakošćan until 1944, when the castle was nationalized.

In addition to the main building, the castle consists of outbuildings, gardens and a park. The interior also hides valuable artistic documents of the time in which the castle was built. Miljana is one of the best-kept and best-preserved castles in Croatia.

Miljana Castle, Miljana

Oršić Castle, Bistra

It was built at the end of the 18th century in the Baroque style, and was commissioned by Krsto Oršić as a summer family residence. The current appearance of the castle was slightly changed in style and originality in 1947, when it was adapted with UNICEF funds for a children's convalescent home or resort.Today, the castle houses a Special Hospital for Chronic Diseases of Children. In the castle complex there is a chapel of St. Joseph, also built in the Baroque style, with a particularly pronounced choir and organ made by the famous organ builder from Celje, Franjo Šulc. In the oval hall are valuable inlaid doors and painted walls and ceiling. It is closed for sightseeing, except from the outside, because it houses a hospital.

Even if you fail to arrange a tour of the interior of the castle, which is a private property, it is so picturesque that it is worth stopping by when visiting Zagorje and see it at least from the outside.

According to the website of the Tourist Board of Kumrovec - Desinić - Zagorska sela, the construction of the castle began at the end of the 16th century by the Ratkaj family. It is built of crushed stone and brick, and is conceived as a fourwinged building with an inner courtyard enclosed by wings of unequal width and height.

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