From the north of Zagreb, the capital, to the Slovenian border in the west, the Zagorje region is one of the most bucolic regions of mainland Croatia. Its hills covered with vineyards and forests are crowned with Baroque churches, fortresses and splendid 16th Century castles built by the Croatian and Austro-Hungarian nobility. Ephemeral capital of Croatia in the 18th century, the town of Varazdin, sometimes called “Little Vienna”, is a baroque gem with astonishing architectural unity.

Orsic

Tourism: castle life in Croatia

The village of GornjaStubica was the site of a bloody jacquerie in the 16th century (6,000 peasants hanged, dozens of villages set on fire). Its baroque castle perched on a hill houses the Museum of the Peasant Revolt which traces these tragic events with great accuracy. Next to the castle, a monument dedicated to this historical episode, the work of AntunAugustincic, a great Croatian sculptor who died in 1979. You can Click here for more info about the castles in Croatia and have the best solutions right there for all the adventures and tips details. However, there are so many options that you go for. All you will have to do is to make your choice and walk on. Enjoy the beauty of the world right there.

Veliki Tabor

For the legend. Built in the 16th century on the remains of a 12th century fortress, this superb building is one of the jewels of Italian-inspired defensive architecture adopted by the Croats during the Renaissance. After admiring the triangular courtyard and its two Renaissance arcaded galleries, we visit the rooms of the castle, its chapel, its vaulted cellars and its keep. Legend has it that in the 15th century the corpse of a young girl of modest means was walled up here. His crime?Falling in love with the squire’s son. You could still hear him moan. www.veliki-tabor.hr

Trakoscan

For the furniture. Perched on a rocky peak and overlooking a vast lake in which it is reflected, this splendid 14th century castle (keep, square and circular crenellated towers), a former Habsburg property, is one of the most visited in the region. Much of the original furniture and a rich collection of weapons are kept there. Take the time for a stroll by the lake. www.trakoscan.hr

Durdevac

This charming village flows a peaceful existence under the benevolent domination of an imposing castle (massive square tower surmounted by a wooden pinnacle) built in the 14th century and enlarged in the 16th century. Under the exposed beams on the 1st floor, the Stari Grad gallery offers an attractive panorama of 20th century Croatian painting (Bukovac, Krizmanic), as well as some pretty engravings.

Varazdin

For the sweetness of life: In this charming baroque city stands a Renaissance castle which can be reached by crossing the drawbridge. Built in the 12th century, the castle’s defenses were reinforced around 1560 in the face of the Ottoman threat. The interior houses the historical collections of the municipal museum.

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