Castles - Silent Witnesses of Past Times
There is something overly romanticized about the Middle Ages. True, there is a reason why such an era was called "the Dark Ages", but, as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and there are a lot of beholders whose eyes have been captivated by the beauty of the castles. The cold, thick walls often tell stories that will sometimes haunt you, make you smile, make you cry and sometimes, well, they will make you shiver, proud of being a part of that particular history. When we look at classical European castles, we can vividly see the scenes of knights in shining armors, servants and maids, peasants and noblemen. They are so deeply rooted in our culture that they seem almost visceral. Castles are an eternal remains of history - be it ugly or proud. They tell tales of treachery and heroism, bravery and cowardice, love and hate. Like a huge stone book, castles just lay there, waiting to be read. This is a story about Zagreb's castles.
Oršić Castle - Gornja Bistra, Bistra
Oršić castle is the closest thing you'll get to a fairy tale. This Baroque masterpiece, with its elegant facade and eye-popping roof, bathed in surrounding greenery, looks like something that came out of an artist's mind. The rich garden is peaceful and soothing, leaving you alone with your thoughts as you explore all the tiny details that make it so unique. Its elegance is captivating beyond words, and it's enough to look at the picture below to see why. It was built in 1773, and the first owner was an Austrian general - Krsto Oršić II. To this day, the castle didn't change much and it looks almost exactly as it did 200 years ago. What makes this castle even more interesting is the fact that it has served the purpose of a hospital for children with chronic illnesses over the last century.
Image credit: Zagreb County Tourist Board
Lužnica Castle - Zaprešić
Having explored the dreamlike castle of Oršić, it's time to face this imposing giant. With its hard and menacing, thick walls, Lužnica castle stands proud. It looks tough and, at the same time, wise, like an old battle-worn warrior who witnessed the history unfold. This single-story Baroque castle was built in the second half of the 18th century, probably on the site of the former castle. In 1791, it was renovated and enlarged before it became the seat of the Rauch family. The castle is a monument of the first category, and it was renovated in 1982. Since 1925, the castle housed a nursing home the Sisters of Mercy of St. Vincent de Paul. The roughness of this castle is a fitting environment for them, as it encompasses what spirituality and stoicism are really all about. This castle has hosted many in need throughout the centuries, and its imposing, and, yet, so warm presence tells a story of peace of mind, body and soul. From the needy children to the retired nuns, all of them have witnessed the firm and calming embrace of Lužnica castle.
The park is open to visitors every Saturday and Sunday from 2 pm to 6 pm (April – September to 8 pm), with a guided tour of the castle at 4 pm. (Sundays, only in Croatian)
Image credit: Zagreb County Tourist Board
Castle Zwilling - Crna Mlaka, Jastrebarsko
And now for something completely different. Unlike the two castles mentioned before, castle Zwilling looks like something that came straight out of H.P. Lovecraft's novels. The castle is located in the center of the marshland, which was turned into fish ponds in the early 20th century, hence the name Ribograd (fish city). Around 1905, Kornelius Zwilling took the lease of the land, and in the period between 1914 and 1920, a complex of villas and gardens designed by architect J. Deutsch were built in the Art Nouveau style. Today, the castle is located in the center of the Ornithological Nature Reserve Crna Mlaka near Jastrebarsko. Come to think of it, doesn't this look like a perfect place to shoot Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" remake, should we ever need one?
Image credit: Zagreb County Tourist Board
Novi dvori - Zaprešić
Marcus Tullius Cicero once said that "the life given us, by nature is short: but the memory of a well-spent life is eternal". People often think about life and death. They think about the present and the future. Time goes on and on, leaving a trace that quickly fades away but some people resist time. Some of them refuse to be forgotten, simply by changing the course of history. Novi Dvori in Zaprešić are a reminder of such people. Zrinski, Čikulini, Sermagei, Festetići and Erdödy - those are just some of the famous surnames of Novi dvori's owners. Despite the historical significance their family names carry, none of them can strike you as much as the name Josip Jelačić can. Novi dvori Castle is the last resting place of Count Josip Jelačić - one of the most important historical figures in Croatia's history. His impact is so great that it's best for me not to write anything because such a short paragraph wouldn't do him justice. If you ever get the chance to visit Novi dvori, do so. Visit Jelačić family burial grounds and pay respect to them the same way you would to any other Europe's greats.
Image credit: Zagreb County Tourist Board
Erdödy Castle, Jastrebarsko
Now we are getting really historical with Erdödy Castle in Jastrebarsko. Being the oldest preserved monument in Jastrebarsko, Erdödy Castle packs quite a punch as long as the historical significance goes. It was built by Count Matija Gereb between 1483 and 1489. If Lužnica Castle looked like a battle-worn veteran, then Erdödy Castle is architectural equivalent of Richard the Lionheart. The truth is not far from it, either. Erdödy Castle played a major role in battles with the Ottoman Empire. As you may have expected from such a battle-hardened castle, during its long and famous history, it has been reconstructed many times. Since early 16th century, the castle has been a property of aristocratic family Erdödy and it remained so untill 1922. Unfortunately, the castle isn't in the best shape right now and is currently being restored to its former glory.
Image credit: Zagreb County Tourist Board
Januševec Castle - Prigorje Brdovečko
If this looks to you like a perfect place to drink some quality wine and read a Russian novel, then you have a good taste, my friend, because Januševec Castle is one of the finest examples of classical architecture in Croatia. The castle has a rectangular floor plan in the middle of which is the round hall which spreads over two floors. The architect is unknown but it is known that the construction was completed by Zagreb builder Angelo Chicco. Januševec castle is located in the village of Prigorje Brdovečko, west of Zagreb, and it was built around 1830 for Baron Josip Vrkljan, the former minister of finances of Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma. Unlike some of the aforementioned castles, Januševec Castle had a relatively quiet history, one that wasn't marked by battles and political intrigue. It served as a perfect oasis of peace for numerous bon vivants throughout the years. It is no wonder, then, that it serves the purpose of National Archive's storage today, which is what you would have expected from a castle of this reputation.
Image credit: Zagreb County Tourist Board
Header image credit: Lužnica Castle web page
Author: Marko Pačar