Pranger -  a pillar of shame with a stone measure

Pranger - a pillar of shame with a stone measure

In Vinica there is a pillar of “shame”, Pranger. It is a two yards tall stoned pillar. Pranger was used for roping and whipping of those who swindled with the measure (fairs have taken place in Vinica since 1580).

The bells of the St. Vid Church saved Varaždin from a catastrophe

The bells of the St. Vid Church saved Varaždin from a catastrophe

The bells of the St. Vid Church started to toll all by themselves, and the citizens woke up and defended the city.

How did the last Frankopan from the old lineage of princes from Senj die

How did the last Frankopan from the old lineage of princes from Senj die

Turks' worst enemy, Croatian ban Franjo Frankopan, died in Varaždin from scorpions oil.

A society of vine doctors

A society of vine doctors

The association of wine drinkers Pinta, founded in 1696 by the Count Baltazar Patačić, represent especially interesting part of history.

Making of a monument to Vatroslav Jagić was followed by a constant misfortune

Making of a monument to Vatroslav Jagić was followed by a constant misfortune

Many misfortunes are mentioned in a story of Vatroslav Jagić's monument.

Tragic love of Varaždin from the story of Ksaver Šandor Gjalski

Tragic love of Varaždin from the story of Ksaver Šandor Gjalski

One of the most beautiful love stories of Varaždin was told by Ksaver Šandor Gjalski.

The lavish parties of Countess Nadasdy

The lavish parties of Countess Nadasdy

Suzana Malatinsky, or Countess Drašković and later Countess Nadasdy, was known for her sumptuous balls and the story of her arrival in Varaždin is very interesting.

Medieval Christmas dinner

Medieval Christmas dinner

Do you know what was eaten and what the Varaždin Christmas meal looked like in medieval times?

Bishop Domitrović drowned in Varaždin due to a harlot

Bishop Domitrović drowned in Varaždin due to a harlot

The event from 1628 shows that not only foes, but also friends drowned in the trenches of the Old Fort.

Falling star as a doomsday messenger

Falling star as a doomsday messenger

People have always wondered when it would happen and what doomsday would look like.

The rumour circulated that 13 June, 1857 will be the doomsday, and many people of Varaždin believed it.

A bear's cave in St. Nicholas's Church

A bear's cave in St. Nicholas's Church

Even the locals are often surprised when they see a bear in the eastern wall of the old stone tower. The legend of a petrified bear is connected to the mere beginning of this town and its oldest church.

Where is that Trakošćan dragon?

Where is that Trakošćan dragon?

In the ancient times, at the place of the today's Trakošćan castle there was a lonely fort surrounded by vast thick forests.

Varaždin has to thank the winemakers for its free royal town status

Varaždin has to thank the winemakers for its free royal town status

Grapevine was probably grown in the Varaždin area as early as in the Roman times, and historical sources say that the citizens of Varaždin have had their own vineyards for years and they care about them very much.

Varaždin's passport („Varaždinski pašuš“)

Varaždin's passport („Varaždinski pašuš“)

When Varaždin's public notary Krunoslav Čolo started offering the Varaždin passport to the visitors of the Špancirfest festival on his stand, it soon became an attractive town souvenir that many eminent Croatian and European politicians who visited the festival brought back to their homes. However, Varaždin indeed issued passports in the past.

The three nymphs of varaždinske Toplice

The three nymphs of varaždinske Toplice

The three naiads, spring nymphs on a marble relief panel dating from the 2nd century discovered in Varaždinske Toplice, could be tied to an old legend of the three beauties from Varaždinske Toplice- Božica, Margareta and Simona.

Templar monastery in Remetinec

Templar monastery in Remetinec

The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary- Queen of the Most Holy Rosary in the village of Remetinec near Novi Marof has got a long and intriguing past.

Rihard the Lionheart at Pusta Bela

Rihard the Lionheart at Pusta Bela

Bela, a lonely fortified town on the hill above the river Bednja's valley, guarded an important path even in the early Middle Ages.

Black and green turkeys were domesticated by the White Friars

Black and green turkeys were domesticated by the White Friars

In the Hrvatsko Zagorje traditional cuisine turkey is definitiely the most valued delicacy and an essential part of festive holiday tables. Zagorje turkey is highly valued for its delicious taste and high quality meat, so it had the reputation of a superior delicacy far from the hills of Zagorje region.

Juraj Drašković restores the Trakošćan Castle

Juraj Drašković restores the Trakošćan Castle

The beautiful Trakošćan castle would be a ruin if it hadn't been for Count Juraj Drašković, who decided to renew it in 1853 and make it the most beautiful castle south of Bavaria, admired by generations of visitors.

A meal for the forgiveness from marriage

A meal for the forgiveness from marriage

Many bizarre stories have been woven into Varaždin's history. One of them is definitely the story of the butcher Martin Miklec from the late 17th century.

The oldest square in Varaždin

The oldest square in Varaždin

If asked, many will say that the oldest square in Varaždin is the King Tomislav Square. However, the oldest square is the Franciscans' Square.

How the Croatian Parliament's vow was fulfilled

How the Croatian Parliament's vow was fulfilled

n September 1995 the vow that the Croatian Parliament made in 1792 was finally fulfilled. The Parliament vowed to build a votive chapel in Ludbreg if God will protect them from the plague that ravaged this part of Croatia that year.

Who was Ludbreg named after?

Who was Ludbreg named after?

This will probably never be known for sure. However, there are at least 3 legends about the name of this town, which used to be a Roman settlement Castrum Iovia.

When was the monastery in Lepoglava founded?

When was the monastery in Lepoglava founded?

In one of their crusades in the late 15th century, the Turks burnt down the monastery in Lepoglava, with all the records of the founding and its first years burning in the fire. Therefore the exact year when this famous Pauline monastery was built will forever remain unknown.

The most beautiful chapel of the Lepoglava area

The most beautiful chapel of the Lepoglava area

Among others built by the Paulines around Lepoglava, the Chapel of St. George in Purga stands out with its proportion and beauty. This is one of the most beautiful monuments of Baroque art in Croatia.

How Lepoglava got its name

How Lepoglava got its name

The Paulines, who ran a monastery in Lepoglava that was the nursery of our culture and art, „thought about why this place was called Lepoglava“. 

Ivanec holds the memory of the Knights Hospitaller

Ivanec holds the memory of the Knights Hospitaller

Ivanec and Ivančica, Ivanečko Polje or the Ivanšček creek are only few of the names in the Ivanec area that remind and hold the memory of the Knights Hospitaller, who came to Croatia in mid-12th century.

The construction of city walls

The construction of city walls

Up until the middle of the 15th century the free royal town of Varaždin didn't have any fortifications to protect it from the enemy armies. After it was burnt to the ground in 1446, the citizens decided to build the walls and protect their town.

Exciting journey into the Earth's history

Exciting journey into the Earth's history

Apart from a remarkable cultural wealth left to us by the Paulines, Lepoglava hides a valuable mineral treasure, a semi-precious stone agate, which can be found only around Gaveznica, our only inactive volcano, that will tell you an exciting story of our planet's history.

Florian, resist the fire spewing!

Florian, resist the fire spewing!

Four years after the awful fire in which Varaždin was burnt down (in 1665), the citizens built St. Florian's Church at the north side of the Old Town.

A beautiful girl is still waiting for her miller

A beautiful girl is still waiting for her miller

There is always an old legend or at least a spooky story tied to vast, dark forests, passed on the younger generations. The paka forest near Novi Marof, stretching along the Kalnik hills, hides many legends, one of which being the one of Crna Paka (Black Paka) and the old Gradišče fort.

Zletište coprnic (Witches gathering site) in Črne Mlake

Zletište coprnic (Witches gathering site) in Črne Mlake

The slopes of the Ivančica mountain, covered by thick forest, have always entertained the folks' imagination, and many of the creepy stories about supernatural beings were kept until today.

Aqua Iasae

Aqua Iasae

Varaždinske Toplice, our oldest and most famous thermal spa, was famous for its thermal water even in ancient Rome.

The legend of the Earth's circles

The legend of the Earth's circles

Ludbreg is a town that many legends are tied to.

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