The Magnificent Vranyczany Family and Their Heritage in Zagreb

You are probably asking yourself - who is this family? Well, this family played a crucial role in the history of Zagreb as well as the history of pretty much whole Croatia!

Vranyczany-Dobrinovic family is an old Croatian noble family that has migrated from Bosnia to one of the four most important Croatian historical regions, Dalmatia. Upon arriving in Dalmatia and due to their political rise, they renamed themselves from Dobrinović to Vranjican. Their name was derived from Vranjic, the name of the village near Split where they lived. When Croatia became a part of the Habsburg Monarchy, they renamed themselves again, this time to Hungarian version of their surname - Vranyczany. Did you know that they left a great heritage in each and every city they lived in? Well, they absolutely did!

So, the question is - why are they so important apart from their heritage? Generations and generations of this family supported the arts and libraries, donated for academic purposes and financially supported several national institutions. Some members of this family are remembered for their political and economic influence, engagement in social activities, and construction of many beautiful palaces across Croatia, and, of course, the city of Zagreb.

Archeological Museum

Dragan Vranyczany is the first of the family to build a residential palace in Zagreb located in Zrinski Square. Even during the construction, the palace was a talk of the town! He actually lived in Karlovac, a city near Zagreb, and rented apartments in the palace to wealthy people. Today, this palace is an Archeological Museum of Zagreb, one of the most interesting museums in the city! When you walk across Zrinski Square you notice it right away. Its glorious yellow colour with amazing columns will take your breath away. Million little details on the palace will catch your eye instantly and make you want to come in!

Image credit: VikendManijaci.com/SCRIBO PR

Modern Gallery

One of the several Vranyczany palaces is today's Modern Gallery, a national museum of modern art located in Strossmayer Square near Archeological Museum. This palace was in the possession of Ljudevit Vranyczany. Even though Dragan’s palace was a talk of the town, this palace was actually a sensation back then! Being a passionate collector of works of art and a photographer, Ljudevit is remembered for his contributions to the Society of Croatian Artists. The palace itself is gorgeous, but a little bit scary! Take a close look at the windows. They're decorated with human heads with open mouths. If you stare for a while, they look like they're alive and ready to talk! They are a dreadful decoration, don't you think?

Image credit: PerciveArt

Croatian Engineering Association

Like Dragan and Ljudevit, Vladimir Vranyczany was also a founder and a supporter of many cultural and educational associations such as Croatian Musical Institute, Society of Croatian Artists, Croatian National Institute Matica Hrvatska and others. But, Vladimir is most remembered for his charity work and for founding many associations for helping poor residents of Zagreb. Today, his palace is a home to Croatian Engineering Association and has been one for a very long time. Even though the palace doesn't have a lot of architectural details, it's still wonderful. The walls hide a lot of untold stories and whenever I look at it, the history of Zagreb comes rushing through giving me an amazing feeling.

Image credit: HIS

Dverce Palace

Ambroz Junior Vranyczany bought Dverce Palace as a wedding present for his daughter Klotilda. Since it was an arranged marriage to Italian baron Buratti who was significantly older than Klotilda, she was deeply unhappy with this marriage. That fact made Ambroz, her father, build a big dance hall in the palace for her entertainment and social activities. She is famous for her unfortunate life and for her last testament in which she left the palace to the City of Zagreb. Dverce palace is located in the Upper Town in Katarinski Square and it is used for formal receptions and other events. Its yellow colour will immediately catch your eye as well as the official emblem of Vranyczany family at the entrance. The palace itself is an irreplaceable piece of Zagreb's history and you'll love it!

This family left a great heritage in the City of Zagreb and all across Croatia. An interesting fact is that you can find descendants of Vranyczany family even today! Their name is still famous and some of them had a significant role in the recent history. Due to their considerable influence as representatives of education, art and culture as well as their economic, social and political life, one can say that today’s use of their heritage in Croatia and Zagreb would be to their satisfaction.

Header Image Credit: Marko Vrdoljak, Zagreb Tourist Board

Author: Tajana Pran