Culture, art & history trip
Do you get excited thinking about aristocratic manors or romantic castles? How about a trip where you visit and explore two of them, while getting to know their legends and stories?
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Explore Trakošćan castle, featuring an impressive weapons collection and a beautiful park with lake surrounding the fortification walls. Visit Veliki Tabor, one of the best preserved fortified castles in mainland Croatia, linked to the mystical legend of the forbidden love and do not miss the Krapina Neanderthal Museum with the largest collection of Neanderthal remains.
Veliki Tabor is one of the best-preserved late medieval and Renaissance fortified castles in mainland Croatia
Hrvatsko zagorje is a region in the north of Croatia which has a rich historical legacy that includes a total of 54 castles and manors that bear witness to the period between the 13th and the 20th centuries. The majority of those with Versailles and Baroque motifs were built in the second half of the 17th century and in the 18th century.
It is famous for its green hillsides dotted with vineyards and adorned with churches, manors and wine cellars, as well as romantic castles that take you back to the age of knights and lonesome maidens. Make sure you take a dip in the natural hot springs and enjoy the renowned Zagorje cuisine.
Travel more than 700 years back in time and visit Hrvatsko zagorje, a romantic landscape filled with Medieval and Renaissance fortresses and Baroque castles.
According to legend, Trakošćan castle was named after a Thracian fortress (arx Thacorum) that supposedly existed during antiquity.
According to another legend, it received its name from the Drachenstein knights, who ruled this area during the Middle Ages. The castle was mentioned for the first time in 1334 and its last owners were the Drašković family. Today this emblematic castle, which is one of the most beautiful in Hrvatsko zagorje, is a zero-category cultural and historical monument.
Veliki Tabor is one of the best-preserved late medieval and Renaissance fortified castles in mainland Croatia. The castle has received the highest marks from UNESCO and has also been linked to the mystical legend of Veronika Desinić, who was supposedly walled-in as punishment for engaging in forbidden love.
In the nearby town of Krapina you can visit a famous museum of Neanderthal culture. Their remains and 800 various items were found in 1899. It was the first paleontological natural monument in Croatia and has been protected since it contains the largest collection of Neanderthal remains.
At the Trakošćan castle you can explore the knight's and hunting halls, the music salon, the studio of the painter Julijana Erdödy and a weapon collection
Arrive in the picturesque village of Bednja in Hrvatsko Zagorje and check into the charming 4-star Hotel Trakošćan. Your room offers a stunning view of the fairy-tale Trakošćan Castle, surrounded by a serene park and a beautiful lake. Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome drink and some free time until dinner.
Indulge in the hotel's soothing Spa Centre, featuring a relaxing atmosphere, massages, an indoor pool, sauna, steam bath, and beauty parlors. Relax with a drink at the bar set on the lake platform or work out at the fitness center. Unwind and immerse yourself in this tranquil retreat.
The Krapina Neanderthal Museum will show you what it was like to live in 32.000 BC
Begin your day with a buffet breakfast at the hotel, then embark on a tour of Hrvatsko Zagorje. First, explore Trakošćan Castle, a late 13th-century fortress. Wander through the knight's and hunting halls, the music salon, the studio of painter Julijana Erdödy, and admire the impressive collection of weapons and period furniture.
Stroll through the castle's park and along the nearby lake before continuing your tour with lunch at Grešna Gorica. Enjoy authentic Zagorje cuisine in a rural setting, complemented by local wine from their vineyards.
Next, visit Veliki Tabor Castle, a 12th-century fortress offering a glimpse into the region's romantic and turbulent history. Return to the hotel for dinner, reflecting on the day's discoveries.
The lake below castle Trakošćan might be artificial, but still provides a wonderful forest walkaround
After breakfast, check out from the hotel. If time permits, head to the town of Krapina to visit the Krapina Neanderthal Museum. Journey back to 32,000 BC and explore the fascinating history of the Neanderthals who once inhabited this area. Conclude your visit to Hrvatsko Zagorje enriched with its historical and cultural heritage.
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