Infamous Ruler of the Mountain

Streets of Zagreb are packed full again. Full of freshly tanned people whose hair had that 'beachwear don't care' look only a week ago. But, holidays are over and, as my friend Ned Stark would like to say, winter is coming. So the murmur of the city cafes and streets is restored once again.

As you know, between the two most different seasons of the year stands one preparatory season. Yep, it's fall, with it's warm clothes, magical colours, sounds of rain and delicious food. Mrs. Fall is here to remind us that even though summer was awesome, every season of the year has its advantages and quirks.

And one of those Zagrebian quirks is Medvednica - the mountain, just north of the city. The fall visits have a long tradition and are not familiar only to nowadays Zagreb residents. Because, when you go up, you somehow know that everything was the same here for thousands of years and that cognition itself fills you with respect for the mountain.

Image credit: Zagreb Tourist Board/Marko Vrdoljak

There was a time when most of Zagreb's life was led on that mountain. Except for the coal mines that were a source of income for most residents. The very center of power was situated on the slopes of Medvednica.

I am talking about Fort Medvedgrad, whose towers and strong walls were once the home to the one whose name cannot be spoken. No, it is not Voldemort, but, if the medieval legend is true, it's not far from it. Medvedgrad was once home to Barbara of Cilli, commonly known as 'The Black Queen'.

The Black Queen ruled the medieval city of Medvedgrad at the beginning of the 15th century. Even though her quarters were hidden for the common folk, stories about her viciousness still exist.

As a daughter of one of the most powerful people in Europe in that time, Herman the Second Cilli, Barbara married the king of Croatia, Czech and Hungaria and the Holy Roman Empire.  After a stormy marriage full of conflicts, she became a young widow, so she inherited the throne. Such power in hands wasn't common for a woman at that time. That is also how she got the nickname; after her husband's death, nobody ever saw her wearing anything other than black gowns.

Image credit: Zisuart

The first legend that created many more of these was the one of how Barbara, along with her father walled in a peasant girl Veronika into the walls of Veliki Tabor Castle because she had an affair with Barbara's brother Fridrich, of which they did not approve.

Because of her supposed evilness, Barbara wasn't very popular among the local folk. There were stories about her cruel treatment of her lovers, who she threw to the wild animals from Medvedgrad walls after the ravens dug their eyes out. There were also folktales about how she can turn into animals because they knew Barbara practiced alchemy. The animal story may not be utterly fake because, there are facts that indicate that there was a wild cat inhabitant surrounding the walls.

But Zagreb wasn't the only place that told the tales about the evil queen. People living north of Zagreb knew Barbara as the Kneginec village vampire, sucking blood out of people to preserve her beauty and youth.

Image credit: Zagreb Tourist Board/Marko Vrdoljak

But my favorite myth about The Black Queen is the one about how she sold her soul to the devil. Because, when the Turks sieged Medvedgrad, she had no one else to turn to, but the Lucifer itself. She promised him the whole city if he was to defend her.

But, when the time came, she didn't want to give Medvedgrad up. She decided to try to trick him, but she failed. That made the devil very mad, so he cursed her and turned her into a snake, forever condemned to crawl on the slopes of the mountain and defend her treasure.

Barbara the Cilli died of the plague in 1451 in Czech city of Melnik. Even though the tales of her can not be heard as often as before, people still remember the last apparition of the vicious ruler.

She was last seen by a soldier boy to whom she appeared in the form of a snake and asked him to kiss her and break her curse. But he refused, and she disappeared. Some say that she sleeps in the well of Medvedgrad, waiting for the right man to save her from her curse.

 Image credit: Zagreb Tourist Board/Marko Vrdoljak

Too bad that the soldier refused the queen, but a good thing to keep in mind if you find yourself roaming around Medvedgrad fort, because maybe the Queen decides to show herself to you with the same plea! 

Zagrebians cherish the myths and legends about The Black Queen so much, that they named a children's game, craft beer and even an international scale model show after her. Every single one of these items and events is very popular, especially the scale cup that is being held on 12th of September this year.

Unfortunately, The Queen itself won't be present at the event, but there will be participants from more than 17 countries with more than 350 models to show. I am sure that Her Majesty herself would be pleased with the models and expose them at her court for everyone to admire.

Nevertheless, Barbara Cilli was an active and resourceful politician and a mysterious and a beautiful woman. She was one of the rare women who was not afraid to stand up to male authority and kept her dignity and lifestyle and stayed true to herself. And for that, we drink in her name. Cheers!

Image credit: Pivnica Medvedgrad

Header image credit: Zagreb Tourist Board/Marko Vrdoljak

Author: Lana Suša