Varazdin Castle

Varazdin Castle - Stari grad Varaždin, Varazdin, Varazdin County, Republic of Croatia.

In the very center of Varaždin, located 80 kilometers northeast of Zagreb, stands the perfectly preserved Stari Grad Castle, one of whose towers is depicted on the city's coat of arms. The fortress was built in the 13th century in the Renaissance architectural style. Very few castles of this style remain in Europe, making Stari Grad in Varaždin a world-class landmark in Croatia. Despite being rebuilt several times, the castle has managed to preserve its medieval and Renaissance appearance.
By the end of the 14th century, it belonged to the Counts of Celje, who expanded the castle and added Gothic elements. Later, the towers of the main palace were connected by arches, and the mighty fortification towers are linked by 16th-century Renaissance galleries.
From the 16th century onward, Varaždin served as an outpost against Turkish aggression. It became the permanent residence of the influential Erdögy family, who ruled the region for several centuries. It was here that the seat of the Croatian-Slavic military district was located. In 1544, a defensive rampart was erected, and the moat was filled with water. In 1593, the Chapel of St. Lawrence (Kapelica svetog Lovre) was built to commemorate the victory over the Ottoman Turks at Sisak. The castle retained its strong strategic and military-political significance until the 17th century.
In the mid-18th century, Varaždin flourished as the capital of Croatia, but a fire in 1776 almost completely destroyed the city. According to legend, the blaze that destroyed the city was started by a young man, smoking a pipe, running after a pig and tripping. As a result, the capital was moved to Zagreb. Stari Grad Castle has been meticulously restored. In 1925, to commemorate the millennium of the Croatian Kingdom, the Varaždin City Museum was opened in the castle. It houses a fascinating ethnographic collection, as well as collections of paintings, sculpture, and weapons. Other exhibits include archaeological items, decorative arts, antique furniture, and many other objects from the everyday life of Varaždin's nobility and wealthy bourgeoisie, which visitors can see in 40 museum spaces. Particularly valuable are the collections of objects from the legacy of two famous Varaždin residents, the politician and writer Ivan Kukuljević Sakčinski and the linguist Vatroslav Jagić.
The landscaped grounds surrounding the castle are perfect for leisurely strolls.