Varaždin in Opcina Varaždin, Varaždin, Croatia — Central and Southeastern Europe
Varaždin - Stari grad
Old Town - Die Alte Burg
— Varaždin - The Old Castle —
Varaždin was first mentioned in historical sources in 1181 under the name of Garestin in a document issued by King Bela III. In this document he returned the Topic estate near Varaždin, unlawfully appropriated by the Varaždin district perfect, to the Zagreb Diocese. In the charter declaring Varaždin a free royal borough, granted by King Andrew II of the Arpad Dynasty in 1209. Varaždin gained important economic, social, administrative and military rights.
The Old Castle is a lowlands fortification built at the intersection of ancient roads near the River Drava. Its defence function was paramount throughout history. The architectural base of the fortification comprises quadrangular Gothic towers erected in the times of the Counts of Celje. In the mid 15th century, Ulrich Celiski built a granary near the fortification.
Varaždin, thought of as the "Gate to Styria," became a defence fortification against Turkish invasion in the 16th century. At this time, the Old Castle was reconstructed into a modern fortification, surrounded by moats, dikes and bastions with low rotund defence towers connected by galleries with openings for firearms. The construction of new fortifications did not extend only to the Old Castle but to the entire town of Varaždin, much of it still in evidence today. To carry out this construction work, in 1543 Ivan Ungnad of Sonneg brought Domenico de Lallio and other Italian engineers, who worked on the reconstruction of the fortifications until 1562. The entrance tower with a guardhouse was built in the second half of the 16th century. At this time too, the granary built by the Celje counts was turned into an arsenal for Slavonian troops on the Military Border.
The Old Castle was frequently reconstructed by the aristocratic families who owned it: the Counts of Celje, the Vito (illegible) Corvinus, the Ungnads and towards the 16th century, by Tom Erdödy. He became a hereditary district prefect of Varaždin county in 1607 by virtue (illegible) deed issued by King Rudolph II of the Habsburg Dynasty. The Old Castle was in the possession of the Erdödy family until 1925, when it was purchased by the city of Varaždin. Since then (illegible) the efforts of (?)ešimir Filic, (illegible) been home to the Varaždin Municipal Museum.
The most recent reconstruction of the structure began in 1925 and was finished in 1989. Today the history collections of the Varaždin Municipal Museum are on display in the building.
Erected 2001 by City tourist association Varaždin.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 46° 18.574′ N, 16° 20.085′ E. Marker is in Varaždin, Varaždinska (Varaždin), in Opcina Varaždin. Marker can be reached from Bakačeva Ulica close to Ulica Silvija Strahumira Kranjčevića. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Šetalište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera 1, Varaždin, Varaždinska 42000, Croatia. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Žitnica (within shouting distance of this marker); Kula Stražarnica (within shouting distance of this marker); Starí Grad (within shouting distance of this marker); Uršulinska Crkva Rodenja Isusovog (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Palača Sermage (about 120 meters away); Uršulinski Samostan (about 150 meters away); Franjevački Samostan (about 210 meters away); Ratni spomenik iz 1915 (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Varaždin.
Regarding Varaždin - Stari grad. This is a really nice town!
Also see . . . Varaždin - Wikipedia. Today Varaždin is a popular destination for the summer holidays. The city has numerous areas of interests ranging from cultural areas (reflected by many museums, galleries and theaters in the area), shopping centers in the downtown core, various sports and recreation facilities, also a rich history in cuisine. The close of the tourist season is marked by two annual festivals. The annual ŠpancirFest begins at the end of August and ends in September (lasts for 10 days). (Submitted on January 20, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 107 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 20, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.