Varaždin’s feudal fortification, which have since time immemorial been called the ‘Old Town’, is the most important historic building in Varaždin. It was the centre of a feudal estate, whose title and legal rights were independent from those of the Royal Free Town of Varaždin. Today’s fortification was built between the 14th and 19th Centuries and the oldest part is the central tower. Benches and canopies on its ground floor are the most beautiful examples of secular Gothic style in Northern Croatia. During wars with the Turks in the 16th Century the fortification was converted into a renaissance moat castle (‘Wasserburg’) –surrounded by high earthen embankments with bastions and two belts of water. Remodelling in the second half of the 16th Century was carried out by Italian architects from the area around Como, led by the Domenico de Lallio: the main royal architect for border fortifications on the Slavonian border.

To honour the millennial anniversary of the Kingdom of Croatia the Varaždin City Museum was opened in 1925. Within its buildings are the oldest collections of the Cultural and Historic Department, whose numerous collections are displayed in stylish rooms. A most valuable collection of guild objects, furniture, historic portraits, weaponry, paintings, clocks, porcelain and glass are there along with many other items from the daily life of Varaždin’s nobility and wealthy citizens which can today be viewed in 40 of the Museum’s rooms.