Varaždin Old Town (Stari grad)
Stari grad Varaždin
A white Renaissance fortress surrounded by earthen ramparts and a moat, the symbol of Varaždin and home to the City Museum.
The Old Town Castle is first mentioned in 12th-century records. In the 16th century, to defend against the Ottoman Empire, it was rebuilt as a low Renaissance fortress with star-shaped earthen ramparts and a moat around it. The white main castle has red-roofed towers and a courtyard with three levels of arcades, giving it a distinctive look. Today its historic section houses the Varaždin City Museum, with weapons, furniture and interiors from different periods. The green space around the castle is a favourite place for locals to stroll, and at the entrance you will find a sculpture of the city guards (Purgari) in red uniforms, along with summer changing-of-the-guard shows. The museum is closed on Mondays, and admission is about EUR 5. It is a five-minute walk from the central square.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun about 09:00–17:00 (shorter on weekends); closed Mon
Nearby sights
- Sermage Palace – Gallery of Old and Modern Masters
- Franciscan Church of St John the Baptist
- World of Insects (Herzer Palace)
- King Tomislav Square & Baroque Old Town
- Cathedral of the Assumption, Varaždin
- Varaždin Cemetery
- Zrinski Castle, Čakovec
- Varaždinske Toplice & Aquae Iasae