Varazdin Castle

Varaždin, Croatia

Varaždin medieval castle is the most important monument of the town. Its construction began back in the 14th century and lasted for over four centuries, as it was built and rebuilt several times in different architectural styles. Castle’s rounded towers and the moat filled with water were constructed in the 15th century. During the invasion of the Turks. in the late 16th century, high walls with bastions were built. Over the centuries the castle has undergone many transformations.

Since 1925, it hosts the Varaždin City Museum. There are several collections in the museum, like historic documents, glass, clock, ceramics, weapons, and fascinating rooms furnished in several different styles and chronologically displayed starting from Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Empire etc.

References:

Comments

Your name

Website (optional)


Address

Uršulinska ulica 5, Varaždin, Croatia
See all sites in Varaždin

Details

Founded: 1454
Category: Castles and fortifications in Croatia

More Information

www.tourism-varazdin.hr
whc.unesco.org

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Varazdin Cathedral (0,4 km)
St. Nicholas Church (0,4 km)
Capuchin Monastery (0,6 km)


Zagreb Greek Catholic Co-cathedral (61,7 km)
St. Catherine's Church (61,7 km)
Lotrscak Tower (61,7 km)
St. Mark's Church (61,5 km)
Zagreb Cathedral (61,5 km)
Zagreb Orthodox Cathedral (61,9 km)
Zagreb Archaeological Museum (62 km)
Ptuj Castle (37,8 km)
Mirogoj Cemetery (59,2 km)

User Reviews

Anja Logožar (18 months ago)
Definitely visit the Old Town if you're in Varaždin. It's well preserved and the surrounding park gives you plenty of opportunity to hide in the shade of the trees and even enjoy a lovely picnic.
andrej vkadinovic (18 months ago)
Nice historical landmark with plenty of space to rest and relax
Kathleen Brenckle (18 months ago)
Truly charming medieval city with the most spectacular baroque church. Must go inside to see it.
Eruanna (19 months ago)
You should definitely go and have a look when you're in Varaždin
Nika Medvid (20 months ago)
Beautiful place, and so clean! Had a really lovely time. All the people were nice and accomodating. The rown itself is very peaceful and quiet, exactly what I needed. Will definitely visit again.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Most beautiful castles in Lithuania
Photo from Flickr, copyright oxfordblues84

Historic Site of the week

Luxembourg Palace

The famous Italian Medici family have given two queens to France: Catherine, the spouse of Henry II, and Marie, widow of Henry IV, who built the current Luxembourg palace. Maria di Medici had never been happy at the Louvre, still semi-medieval, where the fickle king, did not hesitate to receive his mistresses. The death of Henry IV, assassinated in 1610, left the way open for Marie's project. When she became regent, she was able to give special attention to the construction of an imposing modern residence that would be reminiscent of the Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens in Florence, where she grew up. The development of the 25-hectare park, which was to serve as a jewel-case for the palace, began immediately.

The architect, Salomon de Brosse, began the work in 1615. Only 16 years later was the palace was completed. Palace of Luxembourg affords a transition between the Renaissance and the Classical period.

In 1750, the Director of the King's Buildings installed in the wing the first public art-gallery in France, in which French and foreign canvases of the royal collections are shown. The Count of Provence and future Louis XVIII, who was living in Petit Luxembourg, had this gallery closed in 1780: leaving to emigrate, he fled from the palace in June 1791.

During the French Revolution the palace was first abandoned and then moved as a national prison. After that it was the seat of the French Directory, and in 1799, the home of the Sénat conservateur and the first residence of Napoleon Bonaparte, as First Consul of the French Republic. The old apartments of Maria di Medici were altered. The floor, which the 80 senators only occupied in 1804, was built in the middle of the present Conference Hall.

Beginning in 1835 the architect Alphonse de Gisors added a new garden wing parallel to the old corps de logis, replicating the look of the original 17th-century facade so precisely that it is difficult to distinguish at first glance the old from the new. The new senate chamber was located in what would have been the courtyard area in-between.

The new wing included a library (bibliothèque) with a cycle of paintings (1845–1847) by Eugène Delacroix. In the 1850s, at the request of Emperor Napoleon III, Gisors created the highly decorated Salle des Conférences, which influenced the nature of subsequent official interiors of the Second Empire, including those of the Palais Garnier.

During the German occupation of Paris (1940–1944), Hermann Göring took over the palace as the headquarters of the Luftwaffe in France, taking for himself a sumptuous suite of rooms to accommodate his visits to the French capital. Since 1958 the Luxembourg palace has been the seat of the French Senate of the Fifth Republic.

Map Top Sights Tags Historical Periods City Guides About Us Sign Up Upload new site
© 2020 SpottingHistory.com. All rights reserved.