Varaždin is a lovely town in the north of Croatia I
had planned to visit for a long time.
Finally the plan was achieved last weekend. One day
was not enough for visiting all the sights, but I believe I'll be back soon.
And here we go again: crazy tourist in action. :)
Varaždin is known as the Baroque capital of Croatia
since number of churches, monasteries and houses were built in the baroque
style. But it is more correct to say Varaždin is a harmonious blend of
different styles.
'Stari grad' -The Old Town- is a beautiful medieval
fortress.This Gothic-Renaissance Fortress is the most important
cultural monument in Varaždin.
Today it is Varaždin City Museum.
In the fortress there is also a chapel of St. Lawrence
and a sacristy.
Lots of photos from museum in
the next post. :)
'Kula stražarnica'-Watchtower -Barbican with
a Drawbridge
It was used to accommodate soldiers and served as
residence of the fortress captain of the guard.
Rococo-style Semarge Palace -now houses the Gallery of
Old and Contemporary Masters.
Early Classicist Herzer Palace- now houses the
Entomological Collection- 'The World of Insects'.
These days, at the Semarge Palace and Herzer Palace,
there is an exhibition- 'Varaždin under the crown of the Habsburgs'.The exhibition
deals with the turbulent period of history during four centuries of common
history and mutual relations between the House of Habsburg and Varaždin.
Members
of Varaždin Civil Guards in ceremonial uniforms worn from 1811 to 1900.
Varaždin
Civil Guard standard 1897.
Hussar's
dolama (coat) worn by Austrian Imperial Army (1836-1850). Look at
that tiny little waist!?
Curtains with portraits of Emperor Francis Joseph
Habsburg-Lothringen I and German Emperor and King of Prussia Friedrich III
(1879).
Francis Joseph
Habsburg-Lothringen I(1857)
The Regents of Europe (1894).
Main town square of King Tomislav.
The City Hall
The City coat of arms is one of the oldest in Europe.It was confirmed by King Matthias Corvinus as the
official emblem of the City in 1464.
The Varaždin County Palace was built in the Rococo
style in 1768.
Cathedral
Originally a Paulist Church. Was dedicated to the
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Cathedral hosts a traditional festival of Baroque
music- ‘Baroque evenings’.
The Parish Church of St. Nicholas-
was built in 1761 and dedicated to St. Nicholas, the patron Saint of the city.
Capuchin church and Monastery
Franciscan Church and Monastery
The Church Tower (54,5m) is the tallest in the city.
On the square in front of the Church is a bronze
statue of Gregory of Nin - work of the famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović. A
bigger version of this sculpture is in Split.
On the southern wall of the church is a sun dial.
Ursuline Church and Monastery
The Ursuline Church tower, most beautiful in the city
- was built in 1726.
The Patačić Palace-The most
valuable Rococo Palace in town. Today’s appearance detest to 1764.
The Ritz House -One of the
oldest houses in Varaždin (1540.)
The old black-smith's workshop
Above the entrance of each guild it was compulsory to
hang a sign denoting its trade (a ‘cimer’)
The ‘Horseshoe’ -for the blacksmith’s
guild
The ‘Siren’ – for overseas importers
The ‘Iron Man’ – for ironmongery
The Croatian National Theatre
The Varaždin cemetery, protected as a horticultural
monument.
Our trip we finished with the lunch at a restaurant
Verglec.
Verglec Restaurant is authentic Croatian
restaurant.
Verglec escalope
(Breaded turkey escalope stuffed with button mushrooms and smoked bacon,
garnished with vegetables)
And finally
something sweet is required.
Countess Maria Cake -from the ‘Grofica Marica’ Coffee
Shop.
;)
