| Čakovec Castle | |
|---|---|
| Native name Stari grad Zrinskih (Croatian) | |
.JPG) North view of the Čakovec Castle | |
| Location | Čakovec,Croatia |
| Coordinates | 46°23′20″N16°25′55″E / 46.38889°N 16.43194°E /46.38889; 16.43194 |
| Built | 13th century |
| Architectural style | Castle |
| Official name | Kompleks Starog grada, Čakovec |
| Type | Cultural |
| Designated | November 19, 2007 |
| Reference no. | N-23 |
  Location of Čakovec Castle in Croatia | |
Čakovec Castle orZrinski Castle (Croatian:Čakovečka utvrda orStari grad Zrinskih orHungarian:Csáktornyai vár orZrínyi-kastély) is amedievalfortification in the middle of the town ofČakovec, the administrative seat ofMeđimurje County, northernCroatia.
The castle is located in theZrinski Park, not far from the city's central square, and is the biggest fortification inMeđimurje County. It was constructed ofhewn stone and redbrick, and, during its more than 7-century-long history, subjected to several reconstructions. Today it is partly restored.
The castle's main palace houses theMeđimurje County Museum, the biggest museum in the county, and itsatrium is also used as an outdoortheatre during the summer months. The place was the scene of theZrinski-Frankopan conspiracy, a significant event in thehistory of Croatia.
On 19 November 2007 Čakovec Castle was classified as a protected cultural good in theRegister of Cultural Goods of Croatia under No. N-23.
The first fortification was built in the 13th century by CountCsák I Hahót, after whom the city of Čakovec is named. It was later owned by many other notable families, including the Counts of Althann, theHouse of Lacković, theCounts of Celje as well as theHouse of Ernušt,House of Zrinski,Keglević family,House of Feštetić and others.
Nikola IV Zrinski,Ban (viceroy) ofCroatia and hero ofSiget, was granted the castle together with the whole area ofMeđimurje on 12 March 1546 from King Ferdinand as a compensation for his battles against the Ottomans.
Nikola IV's great-grandsonNikola VII Zrinski, long-termBan of Croatia and famous warrior against the Turks, was born in Čakovec Castle in 1620 toJuraj V Zrinski and Magdalena Zrinskinée Széchy. In his castle, he established and owned a unique book collection named "Bibliotheca Zriniana".
In 1660 the castle was visited byEvliya Çelebi,Turkish traveller and writer, and in 1661 byJacobus Tollius,Dutch philologist.
On 30 April 1738 castle was heavily damaged in an earthquake. It was immediately rebuilt and redesigned inbaroque style, and it was given its present-day look. Water-filledmoats, that entirely surrounded the castle, were later drained and filled with earth.
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