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:

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User Reviews

Anja Logožar (2 years 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 (2 years ago)
Nice historical landmark with plenty of space to rest and relax

Kathleen Brenckle (2 years ago)
Truly charming medieval city with the most spectacular baroque church. Must go inside to see it.

Eruanna (2 years ago)
You should definitely go and have a look when you're in Varaždin

Nika Medvid (2 years 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.

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The Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc is a Baroque monument built in 1716–1754 in honour of God. The main purpose was a spectacular celebration of Catholic Church and faith, partly caused by feeling of gratitude for ending a plague, which struck Moravia between 1713 and 1715. The column was also understood to be an expression of local patriotism, since all artists and master craftsmen working on this monument were Olomouc citizens, and almost all depicted saints were connected with the city of Olomouc in some way. The column is the biggest Baroque sculptural group in the Czech Republic. In 2000 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.

The column is dominated by gilded copper sculptures of the Holy Trinity accompanied by the Archangel Gabriel on the top and the Assumption of the Virgin beneath it.

The base of the column, in three levels, is surrounded by 18 more stone sculptures of saints and 14 reliefs in elaborate cartouches. At the uppermost stage are saints connected with Jesus’ earth life – his mother’s parents St. Anne and St. Joachim, his foster-father St. Joseph, and St. John the Baptist, who was preparing his coming – who are accompanied by St. Lawrence and St. Jerome, saints to whom the chapel in the Olomouc town hall was dedicated. Three reliefs represent the Three theological virtues Faith, Hope, and Love.

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The column also houses a small chapel inside with reliefs depicting Cain's offering from his crop, Abel's offering of firstlings of his flock, Noah's first burnt offering after the Flood, Abraham's offering of Isaac and of a lamb, and Jesus' death. The cities of Jerusalem and Olomouc can be seen in the background of the last mentioned relief.

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