Join me for a walk around and inside Trakošćan – the Castle of Light. Enjoy the light sculptures of dragons, forest animals, stars, musical instruments, and knights, intertwined with the lush park and historic architecture of this Croatian castle.
As a design and travel content creator, I love visiting stylish travel destinations worldwide. Recently, I went for a sightseeing walk around and inside Trakošćan Castle in Croatia.
Where is Trakošćan Castle located?
This historic castle is situated in northwestern Croatia, near the city of Varaždin and approximately 80 kilometers from Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Trakošćan is placed on a hill above the picturesque lake of the same name, surrounded by a lush park. The uphill path through the park takes you on a refreshing walk to the castle.
The name of the castle, Trakošćan, is derived from the words Trako-stjan, which means Dragon stone.
I enjoyed the walk around the lake and up to the castle, followed by a detailed exploration and admiration of the furniture and decor inside the castle. As an interior designer, I am always inspired by the historic interior design styles.
When in Croatia, visit Trakošćan for an insight into the cultural heritage. Get acquainted with the stories of noble families, marvel at amazing landscapes, and the architecture and interior design styles. In the vicinity is Varaždin, also a historic travel destination, and a treasure chest of sights and stories. Read more about Varaždin in my future articles.
What is the history of Trakošćan Castle?
Numerous reconstructions have preceded the current appearance of the historic Croatian Trakošćan Castle. It is believed that the oldest parts of the castle date back to the 13th century, when it was a small fortress. In the second half of the 16th century, Trakošćan came into the possession of the Drašković family, who kept it until 1945. For centuries, this Croatian castle has been a fortification. In the mid-19th century, it was given a residential character, and the surrounding area was landscaped into a park. The forest around the lake and the landscaped park are protected and preserved parts of the former count’s estate.
The permanent exhibition of the Trakošćan Castle Museum is historically linked to the architectural heritage and the lifestyle of its owners, the Drašković family. This museum showcases valuable cultural materials from the Renaissance to the Historicism periods, which are divided into several collections. For example, the Collection of Paintings and Graphics, the Furniture Collection, the Book Collection, the Photography Collection, the Dish Collection… (Source of Information: Trakošćan Castle Museum)
Discover more about these artistic collections in my future articles about Trakošćan.
Visit Trakošćan – the Castle of Light
From November 7, 2025, to January 11, 2026, the beautiful Trakošćan Castle and surrounding park are illuminated by a multitude of light sculptures, becoming “Trakošćan – the Castle of Light” – a lovely scene, like from a fairy tale.
This wonderful exhibition of light sculptures, created by Trakošćan Castle in collaboration with the Czech company DECOLED, has transformed the castle’s park into a fairy-tale world of dragons, forest animals, stars, musical instruments, and knights. Light in a multitude of colors awaits you at almost every step as you climb the path to the castle and in the entrance area of the castle. You are welcome to join me for a walk. I hope you’ll enjoy the photos I took.
I hope you enjoyed the photos I took. Happy holidays from Danica! 🙂
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