Castle Trakoscan - Trakoscan, Croatia - Castles on Waymarking.com

Trakošcan was built in the late 13th century as part of the defence fortification network of northwestern Croatia. It was a small fortress serving as an observation post overlooking the road from Ptuj towards the Bednja valley.

There are two stories about the origin of Trakošcan: according to the first one name derives from Trakian Citadel (Arx Thracorum) which has existed during the Roman Empire, while other sources indicate that Trakošcan is in connection with German knights Drachenstein who were here in the early Middle Age.

Trakošcan was mentioned for the first time in 1334. The first known owners of Trakošcan were the Counts of Celjski, who also ruled over the entire Zagorje principality. When the family died out, Trakošcan shared the fate of their other estates and towns, passing from one owner to another and breaking up into smaller estates and holdings. Trakošcan first passed into the possession of Jan Vitovec and then it was taken over by Ivaniš Korvin who presented it to his deputy Ban (vice-roy) Ivan Gyulay. His family held Trakošcan for three generations and then estate was taken over by Royal Treasury.

The king granted the estate to Cardinal and Croatian Ban Juraj Draškovic for his personal use and as heraditary property. Thus, in 1584, the Draškovic family gained possession of Trakošcan.

During the 18th century the castel was largely neglected and in the first half of the 19th century the family again took interest in the castle, but now the castle reflected the spirit of the new age, a romantic return to nature and family traditions. At this time the castle was restored and turned into a residential dwelling modelled on German romantic castles. The same romantic features can be observed in the restored park and artificial lake.

Members of family Draškovic left the castle in 1944 and the castle was then nationalised. In 1953 museum was established with it’s permenant display. Museum is owned by Republic of Croatia.

Source: Trakoscan.hr

Accessibility: Full access Condition: Intact Admission Charge?: yes Website: [Web Link]

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   10/30/2024 AlGaAlOz visited it