Day 8
Varaždin's Old Castle, then Trakošćan
Morning
Old Castle and Town Museum
A medieval fortress transformed in the 16th century into an Italian-style stronghold, with round bastions and moats now grassed over. It houses the Varaždin Town Museum: furniture, weapons and decorative arts spread across a suite of period rooms. It is the white silhouette that serves as the town's emblem. Information on
Cathedral of the Assumption
A former Jesuit church of the 17th century that became a cathedral, with a sober Baroque façade and a richly gilded interior dominated by a monumental high altar. In autumn it hosts the Varaždin Baroque Evenings festival.
Varaždin Cemetery
Redesigned from 1905 by Herman Haller, who wanted to make it a park rather than a field of graves: avenues of yew clipped into green walls, vistas, dark masses shaped like architecture. One of the most singular landscaped cemeteries in Central Europe. Free entry.
Afternoon
Drive to Trakošćan
Thirty-five minutes west, into the hills of the Zagorje.
Trakošćan Castle and its museum
Founded in the 13th century as a watch stronghold, owned by the Drašković family for nearly four centuries, then remodeled in the 19th century in an unabashed neo-Gothic Romanticism. The interior has been kept furnished and is visited like a home: family portraits, an armory, a library. The landscaped park and the artificial lake were created in the same campaign. Information on
Round the lake on foot and by rowing boat
A loop of about 4 km (2.5 mi) around the lake, through woodland, with a constant view of the castle. Rowing boats for rent in the warmer months.
Good to know
Old Castle and Town Museum: opening hours, closing day and price to be confirmed on gmv.hr. Trakošćan Castle: entry ticket, opening hours to be confirmed on trakoscan.hr. Rowing boats are only for rent in the warmer months. Cathedral: appropriate dress required.
