VARAZDIN
Varazdin is a city in northwestern Croatia, 81 km north
of Zagreb on the highway A4. With a population of 49,075
(2001), the centre of Varazdin county is located near
the Drava river, at 46:18:02N Lat. and 16:20:06E Long..
It's mainly known for its baroque buildings, textile,
food and IT industy.
Varazdin, with its unique monuments and artistic
heritage, represents the best preserved and richest
urban complex in continental Croatia.
The Old City (fortress) is a beautiful example of
medieval defensive buildings. Construction began in the
14th century, and in the following century the rounded
towers, typical of Ghotic architecture in Croatia, were
added. Today it houses the Town Museum.
The Old and Contemporary Masters Gallery is located in
the Sermage Palace, built in the rococo style in 1750.
In 1523, Count Juraj Brandenburg built the town hall in
late baroque style, with the Varazdin coat of arms at
the foot of the tower, and it has continued in its
function until the present day. There is a guard-changing
ceremony every Saturday.
Varazdin's Cathedral, a former Jesuit church, was built
in 1647, and is distinguished by its baroque entrance,
eighteenth-century altar, and paintings.
There are many baroque and rococo palaces and houses in
the town. Worth particular mention is Varazdin's
Croatian National Theatre, built in 1873 and designed by
the famous Viennese architect Herman Helmer.
A baroque-music festival has been held annually in
Varazdin since 1973 (Baroque Evenings), and attracts
some of the finest musicians and their fans from Croatia
and the world. Recommended to visitors is also the
historical street festival Špancir fest every September. |