Prandau-Normann Castle

Prandau-Normann Castle​ - Dvorac Prandau - Normann, Valpovo, Osijek-Baranja County, Republic of Croatia.

The medieval Prandau-Norman castle is located in the town of Valpovo. It is one of the oldest and largest castles in Slavonia and a valuable historical architectural heritage site in northern Croatia. Built as an addition to older fortifications, the castle forms a unique, highly picturesque, and valuable historical and architectural complex.
The medieval town, surrounded by a moat, was reconstructed in the Baroque style in the second half of the 18th and first half of the 19th centuries. It currently consists of a cylindrical medieval tower, a Gothic chapel, and a courtyard.
The Valpovo fortress was first mentioned in documents in 1438. It was shaped like an irregular, elongated triangle with thick walls. The Turks, who conquered the area and ruled here from 1543 to 1687, did not destroy the fortress, and many buildings remain. The Northern Defense Tower is of particular interest. Its interior retains Gothic stone elements, window frames, a spiral staircase, and stone benches.
On December 31, 1721, King Charles VI transferred the right to govern the town of Valpovo to Peter III Prandau. During the first half of the 18th century, a Baroque palace with a 37-meter-tall central tower was built on the remains of the southern wing. On New Year's Eve 1801, the palace was severely damaged in a fire and was subsequently partially restored in the Gothic style.
In 1885, the castle became the property of the Norman-Ehrenfels family and has remained essentially unchanged.
Today, it houses the Institute of Cultural Activities and the Music School. Currently, there is no permanent museum exhibition, but the castle is open to the public.