Dvor Trakošćan

About the museum

The oldest layers of the castle date back to the 13th century, when a smaller fortress stood on the hill above today’s lake, whose lords changed often during the Middle Ages. From the second half of the 16th century the estate belonged to the Drašković family, who kept it until 1945.

Over the centuries the fortress was extended and remodelled several times. At the end of the 16th century it was adapted for defence against firearms, but as the wars subsided it lost its defensive role and began to decay. In the mid-19th century a historicist transformation gave it a residential character, and the surrounding area was laid out as a park.

The preserved museum objects from the 15th to the 19th century have been open to visitors since 1954. They are displayed in original interiors on five levels, from the basement dungeon to the second floor. The castle with its lake and park forest is a protected cultural property of national significance.

Highlights

• Knights’ and Hunting Hall
• Music salon and dining room
• Painting studio of Julijana Erdödy Drašković
• Collections of furniture, paintings, weapons, photographs and books
• Dungeon in the basement
• Park and lake around the castle

Permanent exhibition

• Stalni postav dvorca – Museum objects from the 15th to 19th centuries in the original interiors of the castle, including the Knights’ and Hunting Hall, the Music Salon, the dining room and the studio of Julijana Erdödy Drašković.

Founded

1954

Admission & discounts

Tickets are bought at the museum reception. Friends of the museum from the Municipality of Bednja, and members of ICOM and the Hrvatsko muzejsko društvo, may visit the museum and park without limit with their membership card; residents of the Municipality of Bednja enter free of charge after joining the Friends of the Museum. Prices valid from 10 September 2026.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum does not have adapted access for people with disabilities. The visit includes climbing gravel paths and using old staircases and steps that are part of the protected monument complex, so suitable footwear is required.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum offers educational programmes and workshops; the family ticket is valid for two adults and two school-age children.

Getting there & parking

By car from Zagreb: on the A2 motorway towards Krapina, then the exit towards Trakošćan and the castle signs; from Varaždin on the state road D508.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit