Orsic Castle, Gornja Stubica, Croatia

Orsic Castle was built in 1756 by Croatian count Krsto Oršić (1718–1782) on the site of a previous fortress from the Middle Ages and designed in an L-shaped ground plan. From the backyard side, both the wings are open in arcades that follow the line of the corridor, while the outside frontage is quite simple, with rhythmically aligned windows and a few rustic details in the corners.

After a large earthquake in the 19th century, a classicist porch with a tympanum and Doric columns was added to the castle. Inside there is a well-preserved chapel with illusionist murals and an illustrated baroque altar.

Besides this castle, the Oršić family owned a large number of other castles, palaces and estates in Croatia, among which the most significant were castles Gornja Bistra at Zaprešić, Slavetić at Jastrebarsko, Jurketinec at Varaždin and palaces in Zagreb and Varaždin.

The castle was the feudal residence of the Oršić family, until the last members relocated in 1924. A primary school was situated in a part of the castle for some time after that, and a local peasant's cooperative society as well. At the end of the sixties and the beginning of the seventies, the castle was thoroughly renewed and transformed into a Museum of the Peasants' revolt, which deals with a tragic event that occurred in 1573 in this area.

Around the castle there is a park with a huge monument dedicated to the Peasants' revolt and to its leader Matija Gubec, made by a prominent Croatian sculptor Antun Augustinčić.

References:

Wikipedia

Castles and fortifications in Croatia

User Reviews

Mladen Krusarovski (8 days ago)
Jako zanimljivo i vrlo poučno mjesto

M. Ban (8 months ago)
Beautiful castle surrounded by large park. Historical heritage worth to visit. During the summer concerts take place there, and festivities to remake an old days of lifestyle. Excellent events for the visitors. I recommend it.

Ivan Tandara (8 months ago)
Disaster.Where are those former times. Excavated yard, no catering .....

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Erik Christensen, Porkeri

Historic Site of the week

Kirkjubøargarður

Kirkjubøargarður ('Yard of Kirkjubøur', also known as King"s Farm) is one of the oldest still inhabited wooden houses of the world. The farm itself has always been the largest in the Faroe Islands. The old farmhouse dates back to the 11th century. It was the episcopal residence and seminary of the Diocese of the Faroe Islands, from about 1100. Sverre I of Norway (1151–1202), grew up here and went to the priest school. The legend says, that the wood for the block houses came as driftwood from Norway and was accurately bundled and numbered, just for being set up. Note, that there is no forest in the Faroes and wood is a very valuable material. Many such wood legends are thus to be found in Faroese history.

The oldest part is a so-called roykstova (reek parlour, or smoke room). Perhaps it was moved one day, because it does not fit to its foundation. Another ancient room is the loftstovan (loft room). It is supposed that Bishop Erlendur wrote the 'Sheep Letter' here in 1298. This is the earliest document of the Faroes we know today. It is the statute concerning sheep breeding on the Faroes. Today the room is the farm"s library. The stórastovan (large room) is from a much later date, being built in 1772.

Though the farmhouse is a museum, the 17th generation of the Patursson Family, which has occupied it since 1550, is still living here. Shortly after the Reformation in the Faroe Islands in 1538, all the real estate of the Catholic Church was seized by the King of Denmark. This was about half of the land in the Faroes, and since then called King"s Land (kongsjørð). The largest piece of King"s Land was the farm in Kirkjubøur due to the above-mentioned Episcopal residence. This land is today owned by the Faroese government, and the Paturssons are tenants from generation to generation. It is always the oldest son, who becomes King"s Farmer, and in contrast to the privately owned land, the King"s Land is never divided between the sons.

The farm holds sheep, cattle and some horses. It is possible to get a coffee here and buy fresh mutton and beef directly from the farmer. In the winter season there is also hare hunting for the locals. Groups can rent the roykstovan for festivities and will be served original Faroese cuisine.

Other famous buildings directly by the farmhouse are the Magnus Cathedral and the Saint Olav"s Church, which also date back to the mediaeval period. All three together represent the Faroe Island"s most interesting historical site.

Do you know an ancient castle or magnificent church near you?

Why not share it with other people interested in history? You can add your own historic sites and attractions to SpottingHistory.com.

It's absolutely free, easy, and doesn't even need registration!

Upload data

Orsic Castle

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

History of Guernsey & Jersey

Most beautiful castles in Lithuania

Cultural Landscape of Sintra, Portugal

Historic Site of the week

Kirkjubøargarður

Looks like you are a history fan!