Travel: Varaždin –'Baroque City'

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.

                                                   ;)