- Type
- Castle
- Origins
- 13th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Coordinates
- 46.2592°, 15.9500°
History
The medieval stronghold on a hill in the Zagorje region was built in the 13th century as a small watch post guarding the road from Ptuj into the Bednja valley; the name Trakošćan itself first appears in the records in 1334. From the late 14th century and through the 15th it belonged to the Counts of Celje, and in the second half of the 16th century King Maximilian granted it to Juraj Drašković; his family finally took possession in 1584 and held it until 1944. Abandoned in the 18th century, the castle fell into decay, and in the mid-19th century Juraj Drašković rebuilt it in Gothic Revival style, also damming a stream to create the lake below the hill. After the Second World War it was nationalised, and in 1953 a museum opened inside.
What to see
The museum fills several floors of furnished rooms with period furniture, a gallery of Drašković family portraits, an armoury and a collection of old weapons. Of particular interest are the paintings of Julijana Erdődy-Drašković, one of the first Croatian women painters. A walking trail of a few kilometres circles the lake, revealing the castle from every side.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q2142160
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