Varaždin is a city in northwestern Croatia, situated along the banks of the Drava River; it is the center of Varaždin County. The city of Varaždin with urban areas has approximately 49,000 inhabitants.

According to archaeological finds, the city area has been inhabited since Roman times, but by name Varaždin was first mentioned in 1181.
Around 1203 Varaždin became a free royal town and then developed as a typical privileged medieval city, and soon became the most populated city in the area.
Varaždin has quickly become trading center because it was at the crossroads of important medieval road. The prosperity lasted until the Varaždin and surroundings got threatened by the Ottomans.

After the turbulent time with Ottomans, Maria Theresa, the Hungarian-Croatian Queen in 1767 founded the first modern government of Croatia, the Croatian Royal Council, whose center was in Varaždin and after the great fire in 1776 was moved to Zagreb.
So since 1767 to 1776 Varaždin has been the Croatian capital, and during that time were built numerous palaces and public buildings that have survived until today and give it a characteristic of the Baroque city.

 
Today Varaždin is a popular destination. The city has numerous areas of interests ranging from cultural areas, many museums, theaters and galleries, shopping centers in the downtown, various sports and recreation facilities, also very good cuisine.
There are two annual festivals:  the annual "Špancir Fest" begins at the end of August and ends in September (10 days). At this time the city welcomes artists, street performers, musicians and vendors. The second annual event is Varaždin's Baroque Evenings festival when the city welcomes world famous classical musicians. The festival has been held since 1971 to honor baroque music and its culture which holds a special place in Varaždin's identity.

What to see in Varaždin

Old Town
It is Varaždin fortress located on the northwest edge of the Varaždin city, and today there is situated Varaždin Municipal Museum.
The fortress was first mentioned in 12th century and it is believed that the time was the seat of mayor of Varaždin. Whith changing of rulers the fortress was also reconstructed, from early Gothic style to modern Renaissance fortification and later adapted in the Baroque style.

The parish church of St. Nicholas
It is the main church in the town of Varaždin. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of Varaždin. The church has existed in the middle Ages, with 15th century major renewal of which only the tower remained intact. The present church was built in Baroque style, the 1753-1758.

Church St. Florian
It is a Baroque church in Varaždin. In its place first wooden church stood, built in 1669-72. It was demolished 1733 and has built a new, brick, and vaulted, which had a wooden tower. In 1777 building a new facade with a tower and the chapel received its present appearance. Convex façade is richly indented cornices, pilasters and sculptures and is one of the most important works of Baroque church architecture in Croatia.

Baroque Palace
In the historical center of Varaždin, there are a number of noble palaces of the Baroque era. The palaces were built between the 17th century until the early 19 century, and raise by Croatian noble families of foreign origin. On the town main square is situated palace of counts Drašković, whose existence is at this point was recorded in the 16th century, while today's building dates from the 18th century. Next to it was Czindery Palace, and on the other side of the square bishop's palace, but both were demolished in the late 19th century. Central Square building is the town hall which was built in the 15th century, but reconstruction of the facade is from 1791-93 received its current appearance.

On the Franciscan Square is Patačić palace, which is two storey and, despite its small size, it has very luxurious facade. It carried a rich social life.

On the same square, on the north side, is the palace Wasserman-Kreuz (1785) and Herzer Palace (1791), both in the style of late Baroque Classicism.

Outside the city walls, now on the edge of town, were built several palaces with very ambitious architectural solutions. However original Varaždin palace interiors are usually not preserved, except for individual elements of interior decoration.

Varaždin Municipal Museum
The museum was founded in 1925. His seat of the permanent exhibition is in the old town, within the museum operates Entomological Department in Herzer Palace and the gallery of old and new masters in the palace Sermage. The town also has several private galleries of contemporary art.
 
Varaždin Cemetery
The cemetery date back to 1773 and it was long time an ordinary place until 1905, when Herman Haller had an idea to make it more beautiful and park-like with large trees and alleys for citizens to stroll through. The reconstruction of the cemetery was done between 1905 and 1947 when it got the form for which it later became one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe. It is an outstanding example of landscape architecture and protected cultural and natural park.

Well-known cultural events held in Varaždin are: Varaždin Baroque Evenings, Špancirfest and the Trash Film Festival.
Cultural and historical attractions are "Purgar" Varaždin civil guard.