Old Town, Varaždin

Schloss Varaždin stands in the north-west of Croatia, close to the centre of the city of Varaždin. First mentioned in 1181 as Garestin in a charter of King Béla III, it began as a lowland fortress at the crossing of old trade routes. By the 16th century it had become one of the main frontier defences against Ottoman advances. The fortress was rebuilt as a modern stronghold with a surrounding moat, earthen ramparts and bastions. For centuries the castle passed through the hands of several noble families. Among its owners were the Counts of Cilli, the Vitovec family, Ivaniš Korvin and the Ungnads. From the late 16th century until 1925 it belonged to the Erdődy family. In that year the city of Varaždin took possession of the castle and its surrounding buildings. Today the castle houses the town museum. Visitors walk through rooms that once held noble gatherings and military command posts. The surrounding grounds include the old moat and bastions, offering views of the city centre. The museum displays collections of art, weapons and everyday objects from the region’s past.