Trakoscan Castle — Attraction in Općina Bednja

Once upon a time, in a land far away, there was a castle called Trakoščan. The castle stood majestically on top of a hill overlooking the lush green countryside of Croatia.

Legend had it that the castle was built in the 13th century as a defense against the invading Ottoman armies. It was later abandoned and left to ruin until it was purchased by the noble Draskovic family in the 19th century.

The Draskovic family renovated the castle, turning it into a luxurious residence fit for nobility. They added lavish furnishings, beautiful gardens, and a lake with swans swimming in it. The castle became a symbol of wealth, power, and refinement.

But the castle's glory was short-lived. As World War II approached, the Draskovic family was forced to flee, leaving the castle behind. The castle was ransacked and looted by the occupying armies, and its beautiful furnishings were stolen or destroyed.

In the years that followed, the castle fell into disrepair once again. But in the 1950s, the Croatian government recognized its historical significance and began a massive restoration project. The castle was restored to its former glory and opened to the public as a museum in 1954.

Today, Trakoščan Castle is a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world. People come to marvel at its beautiful architecture, stroll through its manicured gardens, and learn about its fascinating history. The castle stands as a testament to the enduring power of human creativity, resilience, and...

Beautiful castle with rich history! So many architecture styles (romanesque to classical) to see in one place (and not just on the inside, but the castle itself). You're not allowed to take pictures inside (I can see many people here doing it anyways, but it's kinda sad to see that... ok do it, but don't share it - you literally have your name there :D). Even if you saw some pictures in reviews, it's great to visit and see it all by yourself. The visitation is individual, you can take leaflet (there are in like 8-10 languages including English, German, Czech etc.) or even a audioguide (we didn't take it, but i think it's only available in Croatian and English - check their web). Pretty much every room has their own board with info and map with objects located there and their names - very nice to read and see! Boads only in Croatian and English. Unfortunately one thing didn't go as we planned - water in the lake was drained since the end of February 2022, but you can still take a walk around it. However castle is the main thing there and the park is just a free place to wander around. Toilets...

One of the great scenic castles..up there with Karlstejn in ČR or Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, set on a hilltop overlooking a lake, making it hugely picturesque in all seasons bet especially amidst autumnal colours and in the snow. Inside the staff have done what,imho, is a great job offering a view of both the long history and the nature of life in a castle that makes everything accessible and consumable. There is a great little app that allows you to access short, concise descriptions of each room via your mobile, and there is none of the excessive descriptions of the difference in in early 16th C buttons comapred to later 16th C ..or hectares of obscure pottery shards that some museums deal in. As a result, its a place that informs those interested in the convaluted politics of the ages in an engaging narrative ..and there are suits of armour and weapons for those who want more of the "stuff of ages". One of the best historical museums we ever visited, and i congratulate and thank the curators for a...