Events
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Unlike other cemeteries, Varaždin’s was devised by a visionary soul called Herman Haller, who not only designed a resting place of the dead, but an outstanding example of landscape architecture and natural monuments. It is an ideal, restful place for visitors due to the botanic composition of birch, flowers, grass and tall cypress trees, which allows for the delicate play of light and shadow…
Varaždin cemetery was established in 1773, and in 1905 Herman Haller began to arrange about 7,000 cypress, maple, ash, red beech, boxes, magnolia and birch trees. Clipping Thuja in geometrical bodies made the cemetery more similar to the French fleet. One of the most valuable monuments in the Varaždin cemetery is the ‘Angel of Death’, the work of Sculptor Robert Frangeš Mihanović, which symbolically shows the farewell of the living with the dead. Among other attractions, visitors should see the monument to Vatroslav Jagić, decorated with fresh flowers daily.
The cemetery is open for visits every day:From December to February, the opening hours are 7.00 a.m. to 7 p.m.During March, April and October, the opening hours are 7.00 a.m. to 8 p.m.From May to September, the opening hours are 7.00 to 9 p.m.
The town physician Dr. Wilim Bernhard Müller had started minor renovation works of the public promenade in 1838, and by the 1850’s the so-called ‘English style’ look was finalized. Alternating dense plantations of tall trees with open grassy surfaces and a special dark green (conifers) and light green (hardwood) provided a game of light and shadow, and a special atmosphere.
Outstanding native deciduous trees such as mountain maple, horse chestnut, chub, birch and hornbeam were used, as well as ornamental trees such as red beech, sycamore, ginkgo, ornamental plum, Hackberry, Tulips, Catalpa, Judas tree, magnolia, oak, and Violets. The following conifers should be emphasized: local spruce, pine and white pine, as well as yew and exotic plants: Cowtail pine, Waymouth pine, cypresses, Douglas fir, one young sequoia and ornamental spruce.
The newest park in the city dates from 2004. Its contemporary design with specially interpreted plant species is not to be found elsewhere in the city and has an educational character. Water is the theme, and an imitation of the Drava River bed has been made from its stones.
All around the old town are preserved ramparts and moats which were once integral to the impregnable fortress. Today, instead of soldiers guarding them, visitors roam and enjoy the city panorama that can be seen from the walls.
The Youth Park is the first such park in Varaždin, a conceptual continuation of the John Paul II Park. The Parks activities are for young people of all ages and include: a playground, a skateboard track, swings, climbing rocks, etc. The children’s playground is adapted for children with special needs.
In a public green space along the street Ratimira Hercega a park for dogs is settled. The park is fenced and is substantially divided into two parts, one for recreation and training of larger dogs, and the other for recreation of smaller dogs.
As befits the first capital of Croatia, Varaždin has for the past two and a half centuries been watched over by the Varaždin Civil Guard. They were recognized by the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa in a statute of 1750. It is an honour to be a member of the Varaždin Civil Guard. A member can only be a man born in Varaždin who is proud of its honour and irreproachably honest. In their blue grenadier uniforms and tall fur hats, these handsome ‘Purgari’ play a part in many secular and religious events. However, the most attractive aspect of the ‘Purgari’ is the ceremonial changing of the guard, which is staged most Saturdays in front of the Varaždin City Hall.
The company had its own orchestra and flag, and the ‘Kume’ (‘Godmothers’) of the flags were prominent figures from the ranks of high nobility or the royal house. Therefore, the ‘Kuma’ of the last Purgar’s flag from 1998 was Francesca von Habsburg.
The historical unit of the City of Varaždin – the Varaždin Civil Guard was declared a protected cultural property by the decision of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia of 23 March 2017. The Varaždin Civil Guard is also the first protected item of cultural heritage in Varaždin.
From 15th May to the 15th October, the Guard parade takes place every Saturday from 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. in front of the City Hall.
www.varazdinska-garda.com
Fresh food and groceries which are prepared daily are becoming a more important part of everyday life, and in the Varaždin market this trend is confirmed. In the flurry of trading you can buy fruit and vegetables, as well as other culinary delights that arrive fresh every morning from family farms in Varaždin and its surroundings.
The label ‘Made in Varaždin’ is a guarantee of the quality of the product. Produce legislation, faster lifestyles and a growing number of shopping centres are limiting the markets activities and breaking the habit of going to market. In Varaždin this kind of trading is still valued as a part of a healthy lifestyle.
This popular Market place colloquially known as ‘Plac’ provides cottage cheeses, sour creams, vegetables, spices and even the occasional domestic turkey hidden from the inspectors. Even imported oranges look healthier ‘vu Varaždinu na placu’ (‘In the Market in Varaždin’). And when the ‘kumicas’ (‘Market ladies’) are angry and you feel they are cheating on the scales, you know you’ll be back because the smell of grandma’s kitchen starts right here: on the ‘Plac’.
www.varazdinskiplac.hr
Craftsmen are an indispensible part of the economic and cultural traditions of Varaždin. The inevitable course of history is difficult to stop, and therefore Varaždin has not been City of craftsmen for some time. Some are still active and can be found in the newest and smallest of Varaždin’s town squares; the Traditional Crafts Square. In the shadow of the Uršulinski Church tower, these hardworking people maintain the traditions of hand crafted items that are still used today, and also make items that have sentimental value for the people of the town and area.
Opening hours: Monday – closed, Thursdays – Saturdays -10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday – 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The courtyards and gardens in the Historic Core of Varaždin are halfway between the hustle and bustle of the public streets and the intimacy of the adjoining houses, and they preserve Varaždin’s history, the destiny of its residents and their untold stories, anecdotes and secrets that are known only by the chosen few. The courtyards within the Historic Core of Varaždin are amongst the City’s most valuable tourist assets, and reflect the lifestyle of their inhabitants. The courtyards act as a terrace for residents and are the first place where a visitor is welcomed. These once partially enclosed spaces are now priceless items of charm and human warmth under the open sky and surrounded by walls and fences.
Take a break in the most intimate parts of the city, which their owners open only to dear friends – enter a different world, the world of Varaždin’s courtyards. And listen carefully because each of them is telling its own story.
The opening of the courtyard in spring started in Kranjčevićeva Street no. 8, with the opening of the Julian’s Garden Museum.
In this courtyard, the centuries-old love of the people of Varaždin and their favourite means of transport – bicycle – is summed up. Through hundreds of details, old photographs, useful objects and trifles from everyday life, this courtyard tells a story of the old days, when time passed more slowly, and people socialized and gathered in such courtyards.
“Julian’s Garden Museum” can be visited by making an appointment by phone +385 91 6001024 or on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 to 12.
A small pearl is hidden in the Uska ulica street – the “Dvorart” courtyard.It’s hard to describe because it tells a story about the little, cute things that make life more beautiful. In “Dvorart” you can buy souvenirs, sit and rest, participate in workshops and make souvenirs.
This all-encompassing place of lovely things that are created in the courtyard is open on weekdays from 9 am to 8 pm, and on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm.
The courtyard with the most beautiful view is that of the Domenico restaurant.
It, like any treasure, is reached through a narrow and intimate staircase between two houses. Here you are greeted by a flock of birds of all colours that invite you to socialize. And one of them, the largest one, sat on the only remnant of the former city walls and invites you to take a break and look through it at the Promenade where many birds have found their home. The most common visitor of the park is the blackbird. The view stretches farther to the flower peacock, Kazališni trg square, the Croatian National Theatre…
The courtyard is open on weekdays from 8 am to 11 pm, on Saturdays from 8 am to midnight, and on Sundays from 9 am to 11 pm.
Hedonism is associated with the sumptuous Baroque age, which was a conspicuous part of Varaždin’s history when the glory of its dishes reached the French court. This tradition of rich cuisine, based on traditional dishes and foodstuffs grown domestically nearby, is cultivated in Varaždin’s restaurants still today. Traditional Varaždin cuisine was influenced by Austria and Hungary, but during historical migrations other modifications and innovations that enriched it were introduced. Traditional dishes from the Varaždin area generally consist of a few simple ingredients, of which the most commonly used is wheat and corn flour in the famous Varaždin ‘klipič’, ‘mlinci’, ‘štrukli’ and ‘zlevanka’. Game has an important part to play in the area’s cuisine, as this is one of the oldest areas in Europe where game-keeping has taken place.
In Varaždin’s restaurants it should be mandatory to taste ‘mlinci’, ‘klipič’, spicy game dishes, poultry dishes with vegetables, homemade puff pastry cakes and a variety of rolls.
trattoria – pizzeria, 56 unutra, 12 vani
Alojzija Stepinca 3,+385 (0) 42 303-868,www.angelus.com.hr
pizzeria, Italian cuisine
Trg slobode 7,+385 (0) 42 212-017
restaurant, authentic cuisine of Varaždin
Kranjčevićeva 12,+385 (0) 42 211-131,www.gastrocom-ugostiteljstvo.com
restaurant, Italian, Mexican, Indian and Chinese cuisine, delivery; 76 seats inside, 30 outside, delivery
Optujska 72 f,+385 (0)42 330 000 ,www.santamaria.hr
authentic dishes of Varaždin area accompanied by trends in global cuisine, 50 seats inside, 40 seats outside
Augusta Šenoe 12,+385 (0)91 582 8231
traditional local cuisine, 70 seats inside, 30 seats outside
Restoran BedemVladimira Nazora 9, +385 (0)42 557 545www.bedem-varazdin.com
restaurant and cafe, a quality wine list and range of top signature dishes by Stephan Macchi
B.Radić 1,+385 (0) 42 398-301,www.palatin.hr
At the northern edge of the historical centre of Varaždin separated from the city by embankments and moat, is the Old Town Castle of Varaždin. This military fortress was unassailable from the outside due to the moat which was fed by the river Drava canal and the cannons inside the walls that in some places were 2.5 metres thick. Inside is the Old Town’s Renaissance Palace, whose aristocratic owners have continually changed and adjusted it to suit their tastes from the 13th to the 19th century. Today the entire Old Town is the Varaždin City Museum. The Varaždin City Museum was founded by the Varaždin Museum Society, and officially opened in 1925 in a few rooms in the Old Town. Initially the displays consisted of items donated to the newly opened museum by renowned Varaždin families.
Over the years, the size and variety of the Museum Collection have increased, and today the Varaždin City Museum has specialized Archaeological, Historical, Cultural, Ethnographic and Entomological Departments. Museum Departments are housed in several buildings of historical value in the center of the City: the Gothic-Renaissance fortress Old Town, the baroque Sermage, the classical Herzer Palace and the Watchtower in the Old Town complex.
The Museum’s Departments currently have four permanent exhibitions including: the Cultural and Historical Department in the Old Town, Entomology in Herzer Palace and the Gallery of Old and Contemporary Masters in the Sermage Palace. The Archaeological and Historical Department in the Herzer Palace is currently being prepared and is almost ready to open permanently.
Old Town (12th century), Strossmayerovo šetalište 7tel. +385-42-658-754www.gmv.hr
Visits last 40 minutes; group tours per appointment
Opening hours:Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Closed on Mondays and national holidays.
Note:The Museum informs the public about the exact introduction of individual working hours of museum tours through the media. For groups, it is possible to organize a tour of museum exhibits outside regular working hours, with mandatory prior arrangement (at least three days in advance). The ticket price in this case is doubled.
The Varaždin City Museum has, since 1939, provided a Gallery of Old and New Masters, which houses over 5,300 works of art divided into ten collections. The Department currently has two modern permanent displays: the Permanent Exhibition of Old Masters and the Permanent Exhibition of 20th Century Croatian Masters, which are displayed on alternate floors of the Baroque Sermage Palace.
The Gallery of Old Masters includes work by both Croatian and International artists, which chronologically displays works from the 15th to the 19th centuries. The core of the work dates from the Baroque Period and includes work from Dutch and Italian, Beidermeier Painters as well as work from the second half of the 19th century.
The oldest painting, which stands out amongst all others, is Žitna Madona (‘the Virgin Mother with a Dress of Wheat’), painted in tempera on wood, and is the work of an unknown 15th century artist. It is one of only 80-odd paintings across Europe that depicts the Virgin Mother in a dress made of wheat, which makes it an incredible rarity and the centrepiece of Varaždin’s galleries.
A comprehensive collection of Croatian Artists created as a significant permanent collection in 2006. The new Exhibition includes about 100 paintings from 81 20th century Croatian artists. The artists displayed include: Vlaho Bukovac, Ivan Meštrović, Miroslav Kraljević, Josip Račić, Ljubo Babić, Vladimir Becić, Ivo Režek, Vilim Svečnjak, Kosta Angeli Radovani, Ivan Lovrenčić, Milena Lah, Miljenko Stančić, Đuro Seder and many others.
Palača Sermage (18th century), Trg Miljenka Stančića 3tel. +385-42-214-172
The Herzer Palace was built in a Classicist style in 1791. Carved in stone above the main entrance is the Herzer family crest which, during the 18th century, became exceedingly wealthy through its running of the post office and bought itself a position into the nobility. The Palace now houses an entomological collection which was donated by Prof. Franjo Košćec, a local teacher. This collection was turned into a permanent collection entitled the ‘World of Insects’, renovated in the 1990’s and is considered to be one of the finest collections of its kind in Europe. Through several themes – night time, woodland, woods and meadows, freshwater, the tide line and in the soil – it shows the biology of insects. The exibited items incllude entomological preparations, prepared slides of vertebrae, herbal plant samples, magnified insect models, photographs and various other items from the legacy left to us by Prof. Košćec. The collection also includes tools used to process specimens which were designed and made by Prof. Košćec himself. The Permanent Collection also houses collections from other naturalists dating from the 19th and 20th Centuries, and there is also a replica the work room of Prof. Košćec.
Palača Hertzer (18. stoljeće), Franjevački trg 6tel. +385-42-658-760
Although the smallest of all city museums, the Museum has proved attractive to a many visitors. There is a long tradition of fire fighting in Varaždin as the City has been damaged several times by fire. The first Varaždin volunteer Fire Brigade formed in 1864, making it the first in the region. The museum contains a number of fire appliances, diplomas, awards and photographs, and is the only permanent Firefighting Museum in Croatia to display artifacts from the rich and long history of Croatian Firefighters.
Contact person: Vedran Runjić – mobile phone +385 91 393 0336
Opening hours:Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours and visits are possible on other days and times by making an appointment at least one day in advance.
Pet accessible
Trenkova 44Tel. 01/3689-164, fax 01/3025-026muzej@hvz.hr
For further information visit: http://www.hvz.hr/muzej-hrvatskog-vatrogastva-varazdin/
The Gallery is located in a charming small courtyard in 15 Gajeva Street, and is marked by a traditional shop signage. The Gallery does not have a strict theme, and displays about 10 exhibitions a year of modern Paintings, Sculpture, Design and Photography.
Galerija Zlati Ajngel, Gajeva 15Tel. +385 42 212 702,
Opening hours:Tuesday-Friday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Closed on Mondays and national holidays.
Visit by appointment possible outside of working hours.
www.ajngel.hr
The space of K10 Gallery is intended for the KERAMEIKON collection of contemporary world’s ceramics, comprised of 225 ceramic works of art from 45 countries. The collection is constantly growing and contains chosen donated works of contemporary ceramics displayed on the I, II, III and IV International festival of Postmodern Ceramics and the CERAMICA MULTIPLEX exhibition. It houses almost all awarded works between 2005 and 2012, as well as the donated works from other KERAMEIKON exhibitions. The works are of different dimensions, made in different ceramic techniques and styles. Artists from all continents and numerous countries are represented: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Montenegro, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Lithuania, Hungary, The Republic of Macedonia, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Germany, Pakistan, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, USA, Slovenia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Great Britain, Venezuela and Croatia.
Galerija K10, Kukuljevićeva ulica 13tel. +385 (0)91 1744 000
Opening hours:Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 6 p.m.-8 p.m.Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m.-12 a.m.Closed on Mondays and national holidays.
Free entranceGroup visits are possible outside the working hours with prior arrangement (+385 91 1744 000)
www.kerameikon.com
The Varaždin Gallery Centre is the youngest cultural institution in Varaždin, founded by the City of Varaždin. It was established by a decision of the City Council in May 2004. The Gallery Center deals with exhibition activities – presentation of contemporary art through permanent and occasional exhibitions, organization of local, national and international art projects, presentation of art holdings owned by the City of Varaždin, organization of local, national and international professional and thematic gatherings in the field of fine arts, publishing and other activities related to the Centre’s program activities. The institution is the organizer of several festivals, and one of them is the Days of Performance, which have been held in Varaždin since 2001.
Gallery Center Varaždin, Augusta Cesarca 16a (former synagogue, headquarters), exhibition part Uska ulica 7Tel. +385 (42)311-312
www.gcv.hr
The Angels Museum is located in 14 Silvija Strahimira Kranjčevića Street in Varaždin. Often the motifs are the artists’ trademark that we recognize without a doubt: Cezanne’s still life with apples, Van Gogh’s sunflowers, Monnet’s water lilies, Degas’s ballerinas, Prstec’s angels. Indeed, after almost 3 decades of painting a characterictic angel in a Baroque surroundings motifs, artist Željko Prstec has provided his home town with a special, permanent place in art history and a determinant: the city where angels sleep.
His years-long idea about the Angels Museum in Varaždin finally came true on 13 May 2011. The artwork and actions of Željko Prstec have been going on under the motto „Varaždin, the city where angels sleep“. The motto and the idea were copyrighted and recognized in the public as part of the „Anđelinjak“ project.
Just as angels speak all languages, his installations speak out to everyone, regardless of their nationalities, religion or origins.
Opening hours:Daily between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; 5 p.m.- 8 p.m. and with prior announcementmob: +385 (0) 98 569 520
e-mail: zeljko.prstec@vz.t-com.hr
Darwin Butković was born on 24 April 1962. He graduated from the School of Applied Arts in Zagreb in 1981. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb in the class of Professor Ferdinand Kulmer in 1988, and from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Art History) in Zagreb. He finished his postgraduate studies in the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in 1993. He has had around 40 independent exhibitions and around 100 group exhibitions. He has won several awards and decorations for his work in the visual arts field.
Opening hours: Saturday – Sunday: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 2 p.m.-5 p.m.Visit during work week has to be announced (phone: +385 91 2670 082
www.darwin-butkovic.comdarwinbutkovic1@gmail.com
The exhibits include:
Motorcycles and bicycles made in YugoslaviaEngine factory Zagreb – complete productionMopeds and scootersKids roomBicycles (50 pcs)Motorcycles (50 pcs)Equipment, traffic documents, signs, clothing…Stamps and postcardsPosters and brochuresand much more…
Otona Župančića 4, Varaždintel. + 385 42 331 513oldtimermuzej@gmail.comwww.oldteh.hr
Opening hours:November- April:10 a.m.- 3 p.m.May- October:9 a.m.-12 a.m.; 4 p.m.- 8 p.m.*closed on Mondays
Art Galerija PrikratkiIvana Padovca 4a, Varaždintel.: +385 98 284 282miroslav@autoprikratki.hr
Ana-Marija Kralj, who works under the name Merien King, is a young Croatian artist with a distinctive and atypical expression. Primarily it refers to the material with which she works – metal. Contact and work with such material requires endurance and patience and knowledge of the material itself. A dose of curiosity and adventurism is also needed, because such a process is a living process during which the final appearance of the work is unpredictable. The process is exactly what the artist herself emphasizes as the most important part of her art. Each work is the end result of the dynamism of one’s own movements in symbiosis with the material.
Ul. Augusta Šenoe 10 A, Varaždin (courtyard)info@merienking.comtel. +385 98 915 1527
Opening hours:Tuesday 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.Wednesday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.Thursday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.Friday 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.Saturday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
A. Cesarca 1,tel. +385 (0)42 214-688www.hnkvz.hr
A. Cesarca 1tel. +385 (0)42 212-907www.kuv.hr
Kapucinski trg 8tel. +385 (0)42 213 123https://glazbena.hr/
Šetalište Franje Tuđmana 1,tel. +385 (0)42 659-125www.arena-varazdin.hr/dogadjaji
Gajeva ulica 1,kino@kinogaj.hrwww.kino-gaj.hr
Lumini centar,Ulica grada Lipika 15,Poduzetnička zona Kneginec
www.blitz-cinestar.hr/cinestar-varazdin – programwww.blitz-cinestar.hr/radno-vrijeme – reservations
Zagrebačka 85a+385 (0) 42 215 366www.bazeni-varazdin.hr
The City Swimming Pools are a true oasis of health and enjoyment for everyone in Varaždin, its surrounding towns and all visitors looking for recreation and relaxation. The City pools consist of two indoor pools and an outside pool. The large indoor sports pool dimensions are: 33 m x 25 m at a depth of 2.20 m, the smaller indoor children’s pool dimensions are 20 m x 7.6 m at an inclined depth ranging from 0.65 m to 1.25 m. The outdoor pool dimensions are 25 m x 20 m at an inclined depth ranging from 1.35 m to 1.45 m. The versatile facilities such as a jacuzzi, a sauna, massages and a restaurant provide additional motives to visit the City Swimming Pools.
Šetalište F.Tuđmana 1www.arena-varazdin.hr
The idyllic surroundings of the forest on the banks of the River Drava is the location for the Varaždin Sports Hall. The Varaždin Sports Hall is home to a number of sports such as basketball, handball, volleyball and various bowling clubs. In addition to sporting facilities, the Varaždin Sports Hall is ideal for concerts, fairs and other such events. For more information, please call +385(0)42 659-125.
The Varaždin Sports Hall can be rented for badminton and table tennis: please call +385 (0) 658-333.
During the winter months (typically November to March) the space next to the Varaždin Sports Hall can be used as an ice rink, which offers recreational activities such as skating for school children and ice hockey.
For reservations and information, please call: +385 (0) 98 9326999
Ognjena Price 34+385 (0)42 490-850www.tts-sport.hr
TTS SPORT CENTAR is the largest and most modern centre for sport, recreation, massage, rehabilitation and catering in the Republic of Croatia. The Centre is located in the City centre and is over 7000 m2 in size. The TTS CENTAR provides excellent conditions for almost any indoor sport as well as various modern high quality services in sport, recreation, rehabilitation, relaxation and fun.
The Centre can also offer: two small indoor and one outdoor soccer field, a fitness studio with ‘Techno Gym’ equipment, a cardio studio with ‘Techno Gym’ equipment, a multi-purpose hall for seminars and group programmes (Spinning, Aerobic, Pilates, Girl Power…), a children’s playroom, the ‘SPORT KIKI’ children’s sports school, a Cafe Bar, the ‘Medical’ Lounge Bar, a massage centre, a sauna…
